Da Nang boosts high-tech, financial ties with UAE, S. Korea

Standing Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Ho Ky Minh on August 7 received Bader Almatrooshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Vietnam, who paid a courtesy visit to the city's leaders.

At the meeting, Standing Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh said the Ambassador’s visit was particularly meaningful as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the UAE officially took effect in February 2026.

Briefing the Ambassador on Da Nang’s socio-economic development, the Standing Vice Chairman highlighted the city’s priority sectors for development and investment attraction, including high technology, semiconductors, AI, innovation and the International Financial Center.

Da Nang has proactively organized and participated in investment promotion programs, business networking activities and technology exhibitions in the UAE.

Notably, the Vietnamese central city administration has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Binance Holdings Ltd and Abu Dhabi Global Market.

Standing Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh expressed his hope that Ambassador Bader Almatrooshi would continue to serve as a bridge to promote cooperation between Da Nang and UAE financial institutions, investment banks, investment funds, FinTech companies and technology groups, while facilitating business connections between the two sides.

Thanking the city leaders for their warm reception, Ambassador Bader Almatrooshi expressed his strong impression of Da Nang's development and highlighted the considerable potential for economic cooperation between the UAE and the city.

Potential areas of cooperation include digital transformation, AI, financial centers, logistics, the Halal industry, high-tech agriculture and tourism.

Given its strategic position as a regional center in Central Vietnam, Da Nang represents an attractive investment destination for UAE businesses.

The Ambassador pledged to continue acting as a bridge to help promote more substantive and effective cooperation between the UAE and Da Nang.

Expanding cooperation with South Korean cities

Also on August 7, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi received delegations from the mayors and municipal councils of Osan and Yongin, South Korea.

These visiting officials are in Da Nang to attend the 2026 Vietnam-South Korea Festival and hold working sessions with the city.

Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi said Da Nang currently maintains cooperative relations with 11 localities in South Korea.

The development strategies of Da Nang, Osan and Yongin share important similarities, particularly their focus on semiconductors, new materials, high-tech industries and digital government.

She called on the three localities to strengthen cooperation by encouraging businesses to explore investment opportunities, sharing experience in developing AI-powered city models and expanding people-to-people exchanges.

She also proposed greater cooperation in student exchanges and the joint organization of cultural and artistic events to further deepen bilateral ties.

Osan Mayor Jo Yong Ho and Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-Il affirmed that, building on years of friendship, Osan and Yongin would continue to effectively implement existing cooperation agreements.

Yongin will further strengthen its cooperation agreement with Da Nang, while Osan and Da Nang have agreed to renew their friendship and cooperation agreement.

In the time ahead, the South Korea localities will diversify exchange activities, promote investment in Da Nang’s priority sectors, and share practical experience in digital government, AI-powered city development and tourism.

The parallel cooperation with UAE and South Korean partners reflects Da Nang's increasingly diversified international cooperation agenda, while reinforcing its ambition to attract high-quality investment, accelerate technological development and expand its role as a regional center for innovation, finance, logistics and tourism.