Over more than a decade of partnership, this relationship has become a model of practical and effective subnational cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam–Italy Strategic Partnership. Leveraging their strategic economic positions, the two localities have built a comprehensive partnership that continuously translates diplomatic commitments into concrete cooperative initiatives, focusing on advanced manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, innovation, and logistics optimization.
Regarding its economy and key industries, Emilia-Romagna is located in northern Italy and has a population of over 4.4 million. It consistently ranks among the Italian regions with the highest GDP per capita and is one of the country's leading export-driven economies. The regional economy is supported by highly integrated infrastructure and a dynamic network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with strong global competitiveness. Emilia-Romagna is internationally renowned for its Motor Valley, the world's premier automotive and high-performance mechanical engineering cluster, as well as Italy's largest food technology and agri-food production hub. Entering a new phase of development, the regional capital Bologna is emerging as a leading digital innovation center through the application of the Leonardo supercomputer, artificial intelligence (AI), green transformation, and circular economy solutions.
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Delegation from Italy's Emilia-Romagna Region studying management practices at the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve – Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Portal
Over the years, cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Emilia-Romagna has achieved substantial progress in trade, science and technology, education, and industrial collaboration. Since the establishment of bilateral cooperation, the opening of the Emilia-Romagna Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City has strengthened trade and investment flows while facilitating market access for businesses on both sides. Recent initiatives have also produced meaningful outcomes, particularly in workforce development and technology transfer between universities in Ho Chi Minh City and leading Italian institutions such as the University of Bologna and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, especially in textiles, footwear, mechanical engineering, and urban architecture.
Future Cooperation Priorities looking Ahead, in preparation for the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue (FD) 2026, Ho Chi Minh City seeks to strengthen strategic cooperation and attract investment from Emilia-Romagna in the following five priority sectors:
1. Precision Engineering and Industrial Automation: Promote technology transfer in industrial machinery, smart automation equipment, and advanced manufacturing solutions that meet European standards.
2. Automotive Industry and Mechanical Engineering: Develop supply chains for supporting industries, collaborate on next-generation mobility, electric vehicles, and advanced engineering services based on the strengths of Italy's Motor Valley.
3. Digital Economy and High-Performance Computing: Foster innovation partnerships in Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital urban governance through advanced computing technologies.
4. High-Tech Agriculture and Food Processing: Cooperate in food preservation, packaging technologies, and value-added agricultural processing while enhancing sustainable agri-food supply chains based on Emilia-Romagna's internationally recognized food technology ecosystem.
5. Vocational Education and High-Quality Human Resources: Expand academic exchanges, technical training, and workforce development programs for engineers and skilled technicians following Italy's vocational education model.