Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son witness the signing of a joint statement on cooperation to advance smart manufacturing between Ho Chi Minh City and the WEF. (Photo: VOV)

The announcement was made within the framework of the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son in attendance.

The two sides agreed to cooperate on a tailored basis to advance smart manufacturing and responsible industrial transformation in Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to the global rollout of the Lighthouse OS platform.

They will also provide strategy support for smart manufacturing and pilot implementation in Ho Chi Minh City, through practical tools, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge-sharing activities.

The two sides decided to task the Viet Nam Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC C4IR) and the WEF’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains (AMSC) with coordinating the planning and implementation of Lighthouse OS initiatives in Viet Nam.

Based on the framework outlined in the joint statement, specific tasks and activities, and the roles or responsibilities of each party will be defined in implementation plans agreed upon by both sides.

This marks a key milestone, not only linking Viet Nam to the global innovation network but also establishing a pioneering collaboration between Viet Nam and the WEF in advancing smart manufacturing transformation in developing countries.

The milestone also underscores Ho Chi Minh City’s pioneering role in driving innovation, applying science and technology, and developing the digital economy, while opening a promising new chapter of cooperation - where the city continues with innovation toward sustainable growth in partnership with the WEF, contributing actively to the global economic network.