City-to-city partnerships are becoming a key way for Vietnamese firms to reach new markets and spark innovation. Experts from Germany and Australia explain why these ties matter for Ho Chi Minh City.

The 2026 Business Partner City Roundtable Conference opened in Binh Duong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, co‑hosted by the municipal People’s Committee and Osaka’s BPC Council. Representatives of the business communities in Germany’s Hamburg and Australia said that such partnerships help Vietnamese businesses access new markets, exchange expertise and strengthen their positions in global supply chains. Lars Anke, from the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, added that cooperation lets companies on both sides understand how each other’s markets operate.

Hamburg and Ho Chi Minh City share key traits as port cities and major logistics hubs, which creates opportunities for joint work in maritime transport, logistics, shipping, energy and artificial intelligence. Hamburg’s businesses bring extensive experience in environmental protection, digitalisation, automation and international trade. Vietnamese firms, in turn, have strong knowledge of the domestic market and are recognised for their dynamism.

Lars Anke also highlighted the ‘triple helix’ model – a collaboration of government, universities and businesses – as a proven way to promote innovation. Hamburg has applied this model successfully through industry clusters in life sciences, materials, aviation, wind technology and energy storage. He believes Ho Chi Minh City could benefit from adopting a similar approach.

Shirley Ng, an executive at the Australian Industry Group, said cooperation in the green economy can deliver tangible benefits for Vietnamese companies. She explained that such partnerships help businesses gain a solid understanding of unfamiliar markets, overcome language barriers and navigate supply‑chain entry. Ng noted that Australian firms have valuable experience in the green economy that they can share with their Vietnamese counterparts.

Overall, city‑to‑city links give Vietnamese businesses direct routes to new markets, fresh expertise and stronger positions in global supply chains. By learning from partners like Hamburg and Australian firms, Ho Chi Minh City can boost innovation and grow its role in the international economy.