In the first half of 2026, Can Tho City intensified its foreign relations and investment promotion activities in a proactive and substantive manner. From overseas trips to hosting international business delegations, the city has gradually expanded cooperative relationships, connected with investors and promoted its investment environment, contributing to socio-economic development. 

Delegates gained insights from practical models and initiatives on sustainable urban development, climate change adaptation, and urban environmental management at the 4th Mekong Urban Corridor Initiative Dialogue (UMCI) in Can Tho City. 

Proactively expanding cooperative relationships

One of the highlights of the city's foreign affairs activities in the first six months of the year was the working visit of the city's leadership delegation to South Korea in early May 2026. There, the delegation organized the Busan-Can Tho Business Networking Session, in which businesses from both localities met and exchanged opportunities in the fields of industry, logistics, trade, high technology, and human resource training.

In addition, the city sent a working delegation to Laos to further strengthen traditional cooperative relations and expand connections in many areas. 

The city also welcomed numerous delegations of international businesses and organizations surveying the investment environment and exploring cooperation opportunities.

Areas of interest included high-tech agriculture, food processing, logistics, urban development, digital transformation, environment and climate change adaptation.

According to Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, along with improving the investment environment, the city prioritizes attracting high-tech, eco-friendly projects with high added value, and is committed to supporting and creating favorable conditions for businesses to effectively implement their projects.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs of Can Tho City, in the first half of 2026, the city received and worked with 421 international delegations, including 2,854 foreign visitors, an increase of 118 delegations and 1,075 visitors compared to the same period in 2025.

Can Tho City also received and processed 48 applications for permits to organize international conferences and seminars, implemented 100% online public services, and standardized procedures for 34 units organizing international conferences and seminars.

The city has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between Can Tho City and Busan City (South Korea); a cooperation agreement on the dispatch and reception of seasonal workers between the Department of Internal Affairs of Can Tho City and Cheorwon District, Gangwon Province (South Korea); a cooperation agreement between the Department of Construction of Can Tho City and Pacific Construction Group.

The city also successfully organized the 4th Mekong River Urban Corridor Initiative Dialogue, contributing to strengthening international cooperation and promoting the image of Can Tho…

Improving the effectiveness of investment promotion

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Duyen, Director of the Can Tho City Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said that the center has regularly collaborated with diplomatic agencies, investment promotion organizations and foreign business associations such as KOCHAM, KOTRA, JICA, and many international partners to introduce the investment environment, development plans, and priority project list of the city. Through these activities, many foreign businesses have gained more information about the potential, advantages, and investment attraction policies of Can Tho.

In particular, the city is building a smart investment, trade and tourism promotion ecosystem based on VR360 virtual reality technology and artificial intelligence. This platform helps investors quickly access information on planning, industrial parks, logistics infrastructure, land resources and key projects.

In addition, economic diplomacy continues to play a supporting role in helping businesses expand their markets. Through the system of Vietnamese trade offices abroad and international trade connection programs, local businesses are updated on market information, connected with distribution systems and effectively utilize free trade agreements to expand exports.

Mr. Lawrence Chan, Senior Representative of Sembcorp Group responsible for the VSIP network in Vietnam, assessed that the Singaporean business community is increasingly interested in Can Tho's investment environment, especially in the fields of manufacturing, logistics, food processing, digital transformation and sustainable development. He noted that the active support and cooperation of the city government has further strengthened investors' confidence. For instance, Bestway Company - the first foreign investor in the VSIP Can Tho - continues to expand its scale by leasing an additional 9.2 hectares of land and investing an additional $40 million.

NAM HUONG (Translated by Thanh Truc)