Ho Chi Minh City Seeks Breakthrough Opportunities Through Partnership with Catalonia, Spain
In a significant move towards enhancing its technological landscape, Ho Chi Minh City is forging a partnership with Catalonia, one of Spain’s most dynamic economic regions. This collaboration was highlighted during the Ho Chi Minh City – Catalonia Investment Promotion Conference held on July 29, 2026. The event aimed to explore investment opportunities and foster business connections between the two regions.
The Vision for a Megacity
Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, the Permanent Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, shared ambitious plans for the city. By merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces on July 1, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City will transform into a megacity, covering over 6,770 km² and housing more than 15 million residents. This expansion is projected to contribute nearly 25% of Vietnam’s GDP and over 30% of the national budget revenue.
The new scale of the city not only broadens its development space but also enhances its attractiveness for high-quality investments and international collaborations. Both Ho Chi Minh City and Catalonia serve as economic, industrial, logistics, and innovation hubs in their respective countries, making this partnership particularly promising.
Focus Areas for Cooperation
City leaders are optimistic that this conference will pave the way for new business connections, investment projects, and specific cooperation programs. A key aspect of the collaboration will be leveraging the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The agreed-upon focus areas include semiconductor microchips, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, digital technology, and innovation—sectors that Ho Chi Minh City is prioritizing to boost its competitiveness.
Catalonia stands out as one of Europe’s leading industrial and technological centers, boasting a GDP exceeding 302 billion Euros and over 610,000 active businesses. Notably, around 20% of foreign-invested enterprises in Catalonia are in the technology sector, making it an ideal partner for Ho Chi Minh City.
Catalonia’s Technological Ecosystem
Catalonia has long been a magnet for international technology companies and research centers, thanks to its thriving innovation ecosystem. This makes it a valuable partner for Ho Chi Minh City, which is also preparing to welcome high value-added technology investments. The Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park Management Board (SHTP) is set to attract investments for a 53-hectare Strategic Technology Center by late 2026 and a nearly 195-hectare Science Park by late 2027. These projects will focus on developing semiconductors, AI, data centers, and biotechnology.
Over the past two decades, the SHTP has cultivated a robust research and innovation ecosystem, comprising 166 projects with a total investment exceeding 13.7 billion USD and employing nearly 54,000 high-quality workers.
Complementary Advantages
The complementary strengths of both regions create a fertile ground for collaboration. Catalonia’s technological foundation and innovation ecosystem align well with Ho Chi Minh City’s market size, industrial infrastructure, and human resources. Mr. Nguyen Viet Long, Deputy Head of the SHTP Management Board, emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City is not only ready to receive technology but also has ample space for development, making it an attractive partner for long-term cooperation in strategic technology sectors.
Human Resources and Innovation
In addition to infrastructure, human resources are a significant advantage for Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City aims to incubate 50 technology startups and establish 10 technology companies valued at over $200 million by 2030. This initiative is designed to enhance the innovation ecosystem and strengthen connections with international partners.
As Vietnam and Spain approach the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027, Ho Chi Minh City’s choice of Catalonia as an investment partner reflects a strategic move to not only expand trade but also attract technology and knowledge, thereby deepening its participation in global value chains.
If the commitments made during the conference materialize into collaborative projects, this partnership could mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation between Vietnam’s largest economic hub and one of Europe’s most technologically advanced regions.
