As global economies continue navigating paths to recovery, the trade flow between Vietnam and Hong Kong (China) has surged to unprecedented levels. With bilateral trade increasing by over 30% in the past year, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) sees Vietnam Expo 2025 as a pivotal opportunity to convert these record figures into tangible business outcomes.

“Super-connector”: Turning potential into profit

Recent data illustrates the momentum behind these ties. Hong Kong currently ranks as Vietnam’s fourth-largest foreign investor. In just the first nine months of 2025, Hong Kong registered USD 1.06 billion in new and adjusted investment, adding to the USD 2.17 billion recorded in 2024.

Vietnam has now become Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and its seventh-largest globally. A growing number of Hong Kong firms are outsourcing software development and IT services to Vietnam, citing cost savings of 30–50% compared to operations in Hong Kong. Vietnam’s software outsourcing market is projected to reach USD 10 billion by the end of 2025.

These trends are not random. They reflect Hong Kong’s unique position as a “super-connector” - a role cemented by the historic visit of Chief Executive John Lee to Vietnam in July 2024, during which 30 cooperation agreements were signed across sectors.

From macro potential to market impact

While macroeconomic indicators highlight potential, it is on the ground - at trade promotion events - where that potential is realized. With Vietnam’s GDP forecast to grow by 8% in 2025, HKTDC’s participation in Vietnam Expo (4–6 December 2025) is far more than a conventional trade exhibition. It is a strategic initiative aimed at sustaining double-digit growth in bilateral trade.

To maintain the momentum of 30% annual trade growth, direct B2B engagement has become indispensable. Hong Kong continues to be a magnet for Vietnamese companies seeking access to international markets, especially as Asia remains the fastest-growing economic region globally over the next decade.

Under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, Hong Kong serves as Vietnam’s key gateway to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and broader Chinese market - home to one of the world’s most expansive industrial and technological supply chains.

Hong Kong’s edge in global commerce lies in its world-class logistics infrastructure and container port capacity, enabling Vietnamese products to reach global markets efficiently. Coupled with simple taxation, unrestricted capital flows, and a strong legal framework, Hong Kong presents an ideal base for Vietnamese companies looking to expand their global presence.

A convergence of capital and commerce

At the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), from 4–6 December 2025, a delegation of 15 Hong Kong enterprises will showcase a wide array of products across key sectors. The participation of major Hong Kong firms not only highlights the symbolic importance of the event but also reflects the growing depth of their commercial footprint in Vietnam.

Vietnam Expo 2025, with robust support from HKTDC, transcends the boundaries of a traditional trade fair. It is a clear signal of a deepening economic partnership between Vietnam and Hong Kong - one that opens up transformative opportunities for investment and trade.

Serving as a funnel for Vietnamese SMEs to tap directly into global supply chains via Hong Kong, the Expo helps eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, making international market entry more accessible and cost-effective.

With multiple free trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral accords already in place, Vietnam Expo 2025 is the arena where businesses can turn signed commitments into action, ensuring that the current USD 32 billion trade flow not only continues but accelerates in the coming fiscal year.

PV