Hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the event themed City Diplomacy: A Driving Force for Innovation and Sustainable Development will take place from September 10 to 12 in Vung Tau Ward, bringing together nearly 500 domestic and international delegates. The dialogue follows its previous editions in 2022 and 2024.

According to organisers, 36 delegations from international localities and partners across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania have confirmed their participation.

The decision to hold the event in Vung Tau Ward is also intended to showcase Ho Chi Minh City’s new development potential, particularly its maritime orientation, deep-water ports, logistics infrastructure, industrial base and innovation centres.

Turning city diplomacy into a development resource

At the heart of the dialogue is the question of how local external relations can generate tangible economic value.

The Mayors’ Conference, scheduled for September 11, will bring together leaders from domestic and international localities to discuss the proactive role of cities in external relations and share experience in international urban networks such as C40, Metropolis, UCLG and CityNet.

Beyond diplomatic exchanges, participants will look at ways cities can use their international networks to attract investment, facilitate technology transfer, access management expertise and develop high-quality human resources.

This approach reflects Ho Chi Minh City’s broader ambition to connect its international partnerships more closely with development needs and turn external relations into a channel for mobilising resources for the local economy.

The Mayors’ Conference will be followed by two thematic sessions focusing on innovation and ports and logistics, two areas considered important to the city’s efforts to strengthen new growth drivers.

Ports and logistics at the centre of global connectivity

The ports and logistics session will concentrate on green port development, stronger supply-chain connectivity and compliance with sustainable development standards.

For Ho Chi Minh City, the discussion comes against the backdrop of its expanding maritime economic space and the growing importance of logistics to regional and global trade. The city is looking to exchange experience with international partners on port management, supply-chain coordination and sustainable infrastructure development.

One proposal under discussion is the establishment of a multilateral mechanism for sharing data and management experience, as well as coordinating responses to common challenges in ports, logistics and supply chains.

Such a mechanism could provide a platform for cities and partners to exchange practical solutions, strengthen connectivity and explore opportunities for cooperation across the logistics value chain.

The dialogue will also give international delegates an opportunity to visit Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Terminal, where they can learn about deep-water port operations, logistics development and links with global supply chains.

Innovation adds momentum to new growth drivers

Innovation is another key pillar of the dialogue’s economic agenda. Participants will discuss the role of local institutions in encouraging businesses to invest in research and development, bringing research results to market and strengthening cooperation among localities within Ho Chi Minh City’s international friendship network.

The emphasis on innovation is intended to expand cooperation beyond traditional areas and create new opportunities for technology transfer, knowledge sharing and business development.

By connecting cities, businesses, research communities and international partners, Ho Chi Minh City hopes to build stronger channels for accessing technology, expertise and other resources needed for higher-value growth.

The dialogue’s public diplomacy activities, including a programme at Tam Thang Tower, a double-decker bus experience along Thuy Van coastal road and a lighting and water-music programme, will also help introduce the city’s new development space to international participants.

Alongside the dialogue, Ho Chi Minh City is completing an upgrade of the International Friendship Symbol at Ben Bach Dang Park. The number of nameplates representing international sister localities has increased from 58 to 88, reflecting the expansion of the city’s international cooperation network.

With nearly 500 delegates and a programme centred on practical cooperation, the 2026 Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue is designed to move city diplomacy closer to economic development, linking international partnerships with investment, technology, innovation, ports, logistics and sustainable growth.