Vietnam's Cần Thơ Courts Indian Partners for High-Tech and Tourism Growth

Officials in Cần Thơ are pursuing deeper economic partnerships with India, targeting collaboration in high-technology sectors and tourism to capitalize on untapped potential between the two sides. During a recent working session, Secretary of the Cần Thơ municipal Party Committee, Lê Quang Tùng, told Indian Ambassador to Việt Nam, Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa, that while the bilateral relationship has advanced in recent years, it remains well short of its potential.

Tùng highlighted that Cần Thơ, which welcomes over 7 million tourists annually, is well-positioned to benefit from India's status as one of the fastest-growing sources of visitors to Việt Nam. A recent administrative restructuring has enhanced the city's development capacity, cementing its role as a growth pole for the Mekong Delta. The city's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is estimated to have grown by 7.4-7.6% in the first half of the year. With 123 active foreign-invested projects valued at nearly US$7 billion, Tùng noted a significant opportunity to attract more Indian investors.

The city is targeting stronger business ties, trade, and investment in specific fields including information technology, digital transformation, hi-tech agriculture, processing industries, renewable energy, and logistics. Tùng also proposed expanding collaboration in education and training, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. This builds on an existing foundation of more than 500 Indian students currently studying in the city.

On the tourism front, Cần Thơ aims to attract Indian visitors, who are often in the mid- to high-end demographic with higher spending levels and an interest in cultural experiences. To cater to this market, the city plans to develop river-based tourism packages that integrate accommodation, local cuisine, and eco-friendly activities.

Ambassador Sherpa affirmed the strong potential for partnerships between Cần Thơ and Indian cities, promising to act as a bridge for economic, trade, science, and innovation exchanges. He announced plans to lead a delegation of Indian businesses to explore investment opportunities in the city soon. Furthermore, Sherpa pledged to advance initiatives for an Indian trade show and an Indian film week in Cần Thơ.

Describing the proposals as "practical and highly feasible," the ambassador stated that science, technology, trade, and the economy would anchor bilateral engagement through concrete projects. He added that these efforts would contribute to deepening the broader Việt Nam–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.