On September 21 local time, Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam met leaders of several U.S. corporations in New York during his trip to attend the high-level general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly and hold bilateral activities in the United States.

Apple seeks to deepen cooperation in Vietnam

During his meeting with CEO Tim Cook, Lam praised Apple's presence and contributions to Vietnam in recent years, particularly through its network of manufacturing partners, technology supply chain, workforce training, digital services and efforts to promote innovation.

Lam said Vietnam was entering a new phase of development in which science-technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition and the growth of the private sector would be important drivers of economic growth.

Vietnam wants major technology companies, including Apple, to continue supporting the country, expand cooperation and contribute more to strengthening its technological capabilities, improving the quality of its workforce, and enhancing its position in global value chains, the Vietnamese top leader said.

He called on Apple to pursue practical, long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam, not only by expanding manufacturing and business operations but also by helping develop the innovation ecosystem, strengthen the capabilities of Vietnamese companies, train engineers and technology specialists, and help the country participate more deeply in global technology supply chains.

In response, Cook praised Vietnam's development potential, young and dynamic workforce, and positive business environment.

Apple wants to continue expanding its presence in Vietnam, strengthen cooperation with local partners, develop its supply chain, train workers, and contribute to Vietnam's digital transformation and innovation, the CEO was quoted by the Vietnamese government's news portal as saying.

The two sides agreed to maintain exchanges and promote appropriate cooperation programs in the coming period.

Apple began operating in Vietnam more than a decade ago. According to information released by Apple in 2024, its activities supported more than 200,000 jobs in Vietnam through direct employment, its supply chain and the iOS app economy.

The giant's supply-chain information shows that its partners in Vietnam assemble finished products and manufacture components for the iPad, Mac, HomePod, AirPods and Apple Watch. The partners listed include Foxconn, Lens, BYD, Innovation, Goertek and Yuto.

The number of Apple's suppliers with factories or offices in Vietnam rose from 27 to 35 between 2022 and 2023, according to a list released by Apple in April 2024.

Warburg Pincus to expand investment, Boeing to develop aviation ecosystem

Also on September 21, the Vietnamese top leader met Chip Kaye, chairman of Warburg Pincus. Lam said Vietnam valued the investment and support Warburg Pincus had provided across important sectors of the economy over the years.

Vietnam is entering a new development phase and needs high-quality, long-term capital accompanied by management expertise, technology, international networks and support for Vietnamese companies to develop into regionally competitive businesses, Lam said.

He called on Warburg Pincus to continue helping Vietnam build larger companies with stronger management capabilities and better access to international capital markets.

Lam welcomed further investment by the firm in sectors where it has strengths and where Vietnam has significant demand, including industrial and logistics infrastructure, digital infrastructure, financial services and fintech, technology, high-quality healthcare and emerging growth sectors.

He also asked Warburg Pincus to help companies improve corporate governance, technology and productivity; support the development of Vietnam's International Financial Center; modernize the IPO and listing markets; develop real estate investment trusts (REITs); and mobilize long-term institutional capital for real estate and infrastructure.

Kaye said Warburg Pincus focuses on providing long-term capital to companies with growth potential, while supporting them with strategy, governance, market expansion and operational efficiency.

The firm plans to continue expanding investment in sectors with long-term growth prospects, including artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, data centers, financial services, healthcare, logistics and infrastructure assets, he added.

In a meeting with Brendan Nelson, senior vice president of The Boeing Company and president of Boeing Global, Lam praised more than three decades of cooperation between Boeing and Vietnam's aviation industry. He said the two sides should work towards developing a higher-value aviation ecosystem in Vietnam.

Vietnam wants to gradually build internationally competitive aviation capabilities in industry, engineering, services and human resources, moving from being a major Boeing market to becoming a higher-value industrial, engineering and services partner within the company's global ecosystem, the Vietnamese Party chief and President said.

He called on Boeing to raise Vietnam's position in its supply chain and work with the country to increase the number of Vietnamese companies qualified to join Boeing's supply chain, while helping local firms meet international standards on quality, safety, traceability and production management.

Lam also asked Boeing to support the development of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, aviation engineering services and long-term aviation workforce development programs.

Nelson noted Boeing viewed Vietnam as a promising market and planned to maintain its operations there. The company would support aircraft research, assessment, maintenance, repair and overhaul, expand training schools for pilots and engineers, assist Vietnamese authorities with air traffic management and promote cooperation with U.S. partners in aviation, he said.