Heidelberg, which is located along the Neckar River in the state of Baden-Württemberg, is a leading European center for research, innovation, and sustainable development in terms of its economy and main advantages. With a population of about 155,000, the city has a very young and diverse demographic profile, with 22% of its citizens being foreigners and 40% of its residents being under 30. With a Gross Value Added (GVA) of almost EUR 9.9 billion in 2023—of which more than 84% came from advanced services and deep-tech industries—Heidelberg's economy is founded on a knowledge-based economic model. Heidelberg's paramount strengths lie in biomedicine, high technology, and life sciences, anchored by the presence of the prestigious Heidelberg University alongside world-class research institutes such as the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and the Max Planck Institutes network.
Former Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc receives Ms. Andrea Sühl, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: Ho Chi Minh City
Initial connection initiatives have made significant progress in recent years, especially in the areas of education, innovation, science and technology, and vocational training. Heidelberg is seen as a key partner with enormous potential in the context of Ho Chi Minh City, which is actively advancing its knowledge economy, digital transformation, and the creation of a regional innovation cluster. The two localities' partnership corridor has consistently opened up areas for extensive delegation exchanges, allowing experts and administrative agencies on both sides to transfer cutting-edge technical solutions, access contemporary governance knowledge resources, and form long-lasting academic partnerships that will act as a catalyst for socioeconomic advancements.
In order to draw in direct investment, share governance expertise, and establish strategic partnerships with partners from the City of Heidelberg in five crucial areas, the City is growing its networks of partnerships, especially within the framework of the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue (FD) 2026:
1. Innovation and Urban Digital Transformation: Connecting enterprises, research institutes, and experts from the Heidelberg Innovation Park (HIP) to support the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, digital data infrastructure, and information technology applications in smart city operations in Ho Chi Minh City.
2. High Technology and Life Sciences: Promoting deep joint research and technology transfers in biotechnology and modern biomedical solutions from renowned institutions such as EMBL and DKFZ to serve public healthcare initiatives.
3. High-Quality Human Resource Training: Expanding the scale of vocational training linkages and academic cooperation between Heidelberg University and universities in Ho Chi Minh City, with a focus on developing high-quality human resources in science, engineering, and service management.
4. Sustainable Urban Development and Circular Economy: Adopting and referencing practical experiences from Heidelberg's hallmark smart urban projects, such as the Bahnstadt zero-carbon emission district, to apply to Ho Chi Minh City's urban infrastructure greening process.
5. Scientific and Technological Cooperation and People-to-People Diplomacy: Building connectivity models between key laboratories, intensifying the organization of international scientific forums, and promoting expert and student exchanges to strengthen bilateral friendship and mutual understanding.