An Australian tech and innovation delegation is in Hanoi and Hai Phong as part of Austrade Vietnam’s Tech In-Market Immersion Program from 26-28 November. Led by Jonathan Saw, Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner to Vietnam, the delegation includes 10 Australian tech and innovation businesses, and also a State Government representative from Trade and Investment Queensland.
Part of the Landing Pad program, this initiative supports export-ready tech startups and scaleups to develop valuable connections, identify commercial opportunities, and refine value propositions. Participating company founders and representatives can engage directly with industry partners and key customers, to deepen understanding of the Vietnamese tech market dynamics, regulations and opportunities, refine value propositions and go-to market strategies in consultation with in-market experts and mentors, pitch to key industry players and engage in targeted business matching opportunities.
During the program, the delegation visited VSV Capital, FPT Software and Selex Motors to exchange knowledge, explore innovative business approaches, and establish long-term networks within Vietnam’s vibrant tech ecosystem.
The Landing Pad also hosted the Australia - Vietnam Business & Innovation Partnership Forum at Techfest Vietnam 2024 – a national technology and startup event led by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Hai Phong People’s Committee.
The Forum attracted around 100 Vietnamese enterprises, industry associations, technology leaders, experts, and venture capital firms, showcasing Australia’s cutting-edge tech capabilities and fostering partnerships. In the context that Vietnam is promoting dual transformation under the direction of the Prime Minister, the forum was highly appreciated for creating an initial bridge to promote business, innovation and technology exchanges between Australia and Vietnam.
The delegates established several connections and engaged with productive discussions leading to potential mutually beneficial partnerships – through business matching sessions organised by Austrade Landing Pad and Vietnam’s National Innovation Centre (NIC). Delegates also explored NIC in Hanoi, insights into its ecosystem and initiatives driving Vietnam’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking about the program, Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner to Vietnam Jonathan Saw noted: “Vietnam is one of the fastest growing digital economies in Southeast Asia, and Vietnamese businesses are investing rapidly in technology and digitalisation of their existing business - focusing on areas such as digital payments, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence to meet customers' expectations for digital convenience, while also improving efficiencies.”
Australia’s critical technologies are underpinned by a thriving tech and innovation ecosystem, advanced digital economy and world-class infrastructure. The country ranks among the top ten globally for 5G connected devices, data centres, telecommunications investment, and digital cities. As a nation proficient in digital adoption, Australia achieves the highest level of digital readiness as per the CISCO Digital Readiness Index.
The workforce in Australia is both talented and diverse, placing the nation fourth in the OECD for its ability to attract and retain highly educated professionals. The government actively promotes innovation through various incentives and research and development support, including a $1 billion allocation for critical technologies under the National Reconstruction Fund.
Furthermore, Australia serves as a global trading partner with 18 active free trade agreements in place. Its strategic location facilitates expansion into the Asia Pacific region, with over 70% of Australia's trade conducted with rapidly growing economies in that area.
About the Landing Pad Ho Chi Minh City
Landing Pads is an Australian Government’s initiative to help export-ready Australian tech businesses to expand globally. Established since 2017, Landing Pads are now available in Singapore, Bengaluru, Shanghai, London, San Francisco, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City.
The Landing Pad in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam was launched in June 2024 during a Southeast Asia Business Exchange ‘Partnering for a Digital Future’ mission to Vietnam, following an announcement by the Australian Prime Minister at the ASEAN-Australia Summit in Melbourne on 5 March 2024.
The Landing Pad provides on-the-ground support for market ready Australian technology startups and scaleups to develop an effective go-to market strategy and secure partnerships in Vietnam that contribute towards Vietnam’s burgeoning digital transformation agenda.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Trang Vu
Landing Pad Manager, Austrade
M: +84 936 120 026