Expanding business ties with Japan

In November 2025, Dong Nai successfully organized the Vietnam – Japan Business Networking Conference 2025. The conference attracted the participation of more than 100 Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises.

Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang moderates a discussion on business connectivity at the Vietnam – Japan Business Networking Conference in November 2025. Photo: Ngoc Lien

This event provides an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to expand cooperation with their Japanese counterparts, while also enabling Japanese enterprises to identify Vietnamese partners in order to proactively secure input supplies for their production activities.

Opportunities to expand business ties

Japan currently ranks third among 45 countries and territories in terms of the number of projects and total investment capital in Dong Nai. The strong development of the foreign-invested enterprise community in general, and the Japanese enterprises in particular, has made significant contributions to economic growth, job creation, and the advancement of industries in general and supporting industries in particular in Dong Nai.

However, in recent times, the search for suitable partners has remained challenging. Therefore, direct business connectivity between Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises is of great importance, opening up opportunities for long-term cooperation and jointly addressing supply chain challenges. At the most recent trade networking event, numerous meetings were held and several contracts were signed, laying the groundwork for sustainable cooperation.

Speaking at the Vietnam – Japan Business Networking Conference, Kawasaki Minako, Deputy Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Office in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the Japanese enterprises are currently showing strong interest in the Vietnamese market. As Vietnam is regarded as an important production base with stable growth prospects, possessing key advantages such as a high-quality workforce, improved industrial infrastructure, and an increasingly favorable investment environment, many Japanese enterprises are keen to cooperate with Vietnamese counterparts, particularly in strategies to expand supply operations toward sustainability.

Also at the same conference, Onose Takahisa, Vice Chairman and Head of the Tax and Customs Board of the Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City, shared his views on attracting foreign enterprises to Vietnam, including those operating in the supporting industries sector. However, he emphasized that in order to attract foreign enterprises, particularly those in supporting industries, Vietnam needs to introduce more supportive mechanisms and policies to help businesses feel secure and confident in their production and business operations.

Dong Nai remains committed to standing alongside enterprises

To date, Japan has invested in nearly 290 projects in Dong Nai Province, with a total registered capital of over USD 5.8 billion. Alongside new investment projects, many long-standing Japanese enterprises operating in Dong Nai continue to increase their capital and expand production and business activities within the province. Notably, many of these firms employ modern, environmentally friendly production technologies and are less labor-intensive.

Japanese businesses explore the products of Vietnamese enterprises at the Vietnam – Japan Business Networking Conference in November 2025.

According to Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee, the challenges and obstacles faced by Japanese enterprises in their operations within Dong Nai were noted by the provincial leaders. She directed provincial departments and agencies to provide thorough responses and create favorable conditions for business growth. Furthermore, numerous Vietnamese and Japanese firms established connections and signed cooperation agreements for mutual product supply.

In the coming time, the Provincial People’s Committee will continue to direct the Dong Nai Economic and Industrial Zones Authority (DEIZA), along with provincial departments and agencies, to implement measures aimed at creating a transparent and favorable production and business environment. The difficulties faced by Japanese businesses, as well as domestic and foreign enterprises in Dong Nai, will also be addressed promptly.

Throughout their operations, Vietnamese businesses have always sought to expand cooperation opportunities with foreign companies, especially Japanese ones. According to surveys conducted by the Japan Business Association and the Coordination Office, many Japanese companies are eager to find Vietnamese partners to secure their supply sources. However, finding suitable partners remains a challenge due to various obstacles. Therefore, direct business connectivity between Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises is very important, opening up opportunities for long-term cooperation and jointly addressing supply chain difficulties. In the most recent business networking event, numerous meetings were held, and several contracts were signed, laying a solid foundation for sustainable partnerships.

By Thuy Moc - Translated by Thu Cuc, Thu Ha