The expo brings together around 200 booths from organisations and businesses from 18 industrial cities of the Republic of Korea. More than 40% of the booths focus on areas, including artificial intelligence, data and smart security, healthcare, energy, the environment and agriculture, smart transport, production, construction and industrial solutions, education and tourism.

This is the first time in five years that these sectors have accounted for the largest share of the exhibition, according to organisers.

The changing composition points to a broader shift in Vietnam – RoK cooperation, from simply connecting products with consumers toward linking higher-value solutions, technologies and capabilities.

Rather than focusing solely on introducing Korean products to Vietnamese consumers, businesses and organisations from both countries are also seeking solutions that can contribute directly to digital transformation, green transition and stronger production capacity in Vietnam.

In his opening remarks, Tran Trong Tuyen, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, said the event takes place as the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues to deepen, with cooperation increasingly centred on high technology, AI, digital transformation, green energy and sustainable supply chains.

According to him, Ho Chi Minh City is well positioned to expand cooperation in these areas after entering the global Top 100 startup ecosystems and the Top 5 in Southeast Asia for the first time.

The city currently accounts for more than 50% of Vietnam’s startups, over 60% of its venture capital funds and more than 40% of the country’s incubation infrastructure, alongside human resources from more than 50 universities.

On that foundation, the city’s Department of Science and Technology will continue to connect Korean businesses and startups with Vietnamese partners, promote incubation, testing and development of technological solutions, and support research, technology transfer and innovation cooperation.

From the Korean side, Consul General Ryu Seung-Ho said Vietnam – RoK cooperation is expanding from manufacturing and trade into AI, advanced technologies, green industries, cultural content, distribution, consumer goods and startups.

When Korean technology and implementation capabilities are combined with Vietnam’s growth momentum and potential, cooperation between the two countries can go beyond trade and help create new markets and new brands, he stressed.

The RoK diplomat noted that the two countries are expanding their economic cooperation toward the goal of raising bilateral trade to US$150 billion by 2030. Achieving that goal, he said, will require not only government support but also a stronger role for founders, startups and the wider business communities of both countries.

More importantly, he held, meetings and contacts at exhibitions should lead to contracts, business projects and long-term partnerships.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City will continue to support Korean businesses in learning about the Vietnamese market and connecting with local partners, he told the participants.

During the three-day event, businesses from both sides will showcase products, conduct business matching, seek partners, expand distribution networks and explore new cooperation opportunities.

Technology to take centre stage at HCMC K-Brand Expo 2026

VOV.VN - Nearly 200 booths of enterprises from 18 key industrial cities in the Republic of Korea (RoK) will showcase products, technologies and solutions at HCMC K-Brand Expo 2026, to be held in Ho Chi Minh City from August 27-29.