Ho Chi Minh City opened the third Friendly Dialogue (Đối thoại Hữu nghị) for 2026 on 11 September, marking the start of a three‑day forum that runs from 10 to 12 September in Vũng Tàu ward. The event attracted nearly 500 participants, including 35 delegations from about 20 countries across four continents, as well as senior Vietnamese officials such as Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Hoàng Long and Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tấn Lộc.
Theme
“Local foreign affairs: a driver for innovation and sustainable growth,” underscored the city’s strategy to convert diplomatic links into concrete development projects. An opening tea‑ceremony performance highlighted Vietnam’s cultural heritage and served as a cultural bridge with international partners.
Organisers
Organisers, led by Pham Dứt Điểm, Director of the HCMC Department of Foreign Affairs, noted that moving the venue from the city centre to Vũng Tàu showcases the metropolis’s maritime potential, including its port and sea‑economy ambitions. The dialogue emphasized practical, long‑term cooperation rather than merely expanding the number of partners. Sessions will focus on joint innovation, port and logistics collaboration, and the creation of specific programmes that attract investment, advanced technology, and high‑skill human resources.
According to Nguyen Loc Ha, cities cannot solve development challenges alone; international cooperation is essential for resilience and competitiveness. The forum aims to translate friendly relations into tangible projects that boost HCMC’s role as a regional hub for open innovation and sustainable economic growth.