Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has urged Chinese companies investing in the country to focus on higher-quality, technology-driven projects, including artificial intelligence, 5G and semiconductor manufacturing.
Hung made the call during a meeting with Chinese investors in Hanoi, urging businesses to translate high-level agreements between the two countries into concrete projects, particularly in rail connectivity, logistics, clean energy and advanced technology.
According to the government statement issued on Thursday, Hung said the next phase of Vietnam-China economic cooperation should focus less on the volume of investment and more on its quality and economic impact.
“Chinese companies should treat Vietnam as a long-term investment, production and business base, while bringing more advanced technology,” the statement quoted Hung as saying on Wednesday.
The Vietnamese government is seeking to attract greater investment in industries considered important to its economic and technological development, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, 5G and big data.
China’s growing role in Vietnam’s technology sector has, however, raised concerns among the United States and some Western partners, which have repeatedly warned Hanoi about security risks associated with Chinese technology.
Vietnam recently changed course on Chinese participation in its 5G infrastructure, signing agreements with Chinese technology companies Huawei and ZTE for network deployment.
In 2020, Vietnam joined a U.S.-led “Clean Network” initiative that sought to exclude the two companies from 5G networks on security grounds.
See also: FG Begins Rollout of 100 Electric Buses for Civil Servants, Eyes Local EV Production
Washington is also considering urging its partners to take clearer positions in the growing technology competition between the United States and China, particularly in artificial intelligence.
Chinese companies have established more than 7,100 projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital of about $37 billion, according to official data. The investments are concentrated in manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, electronics and technology.
China is currently Vietnam’s sixth-largest foreign investor, while Chinese investment has continued to increase in recent years.
Newly pledged Chinese investment in Vietnam rose 31.5% year-on-year in the first seven months of 2026, the government data showed.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
