Danang People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Manh Hung met with Sunwah Group chairman Jonathan Choi on Friday to discuss potential areas of cooperation. The two sides discussed opportunities in innovation, finance, high-tech healthcare, logistics, and international investment connectivity.

Choi said Sunwah sees strong growth potential in Danang not only in tourism but also in the economy, technology and innovation. While Ho Chi Minh City had previously been the group's main focus in Vietnam, Danang is now seen as its next strategic target, he added.

"We want Danang to become a key investment destination, similar to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. With support from Danang authorities, Sunwah hopes to soon launch specific projects in the city," Choi said.

In finance, the executive noted Sunwah is actively advising HCMC on developing Vietnam's International Financial Center, while also organizing specialized training programs in Hong Kong for Vietnamese experts.

Vietnam's International Financial Center is taking shape in both HCMC and Danang.

In Danang, the group plans to explore cooperation in developing the center, focusing on emerging areas such as fintech, Web3 and digital currencies, while strengthening links between Vietnam's financial sector and major international markets.

Choi proposed expanding the innovation network in Danang by connecting the city with international partners, experts and ecosystems, as well as researching and testing advanced medical technologies and healthcare solutions, including stem-cell technology.

In logistics, he proposed studying a sandbox mechanism in Danang to test autonomous electric trucks and applying advanced technologies and digital transformation to optimize port operations.

The group also wants to explore opportunities for cooperation, investment and international partner connections related to the city's Free Trade Zone, logistics activities, and seaport system.

Choi praised Danang's investment environment, particularly the professionalism and efficiency of procedures at Danang International Airport, which he said was an advantage in attracting international investors.

In response, Danang Chairman Hung said the areas proposed by the group were aligned with the city's key development priorities.

Regarding the International Financial Center, Hung said Danang was developing a center with products including a commodities market, investment funds, and a carbon credit market. These areas offer potential for the two sides to study and cooperate on, he said.

In innovation and healthcare, the city is ready to work with Sunwah to bring its Innovation Center into operation soon, while also focusing on developing high-quality healthcare and pharmaceutical services, Hung said.

"In logistics, Danang's advantages in seaports and an international airport system undergoing upgrades mean the city needs companies with strong financial resources, experience and advanced technologies to invest in modern infrastructure and logistics services," he added.

Hung asked relevant departments from both sides to develop a specific action plan and identify areas that could be implemented immediately.

Programs such as the Innovation Center, investment promotion forums and international partner-matching initiatives could be studied for implementation as early as 2026, while the city's Department of Foreign Affairs would serve as the focal point for coordinating the city side's activities, he said.

The city chairman noted he expected cooperation between Danang and Sunwah to soon translate into practical programs and projects, creating more opportunities to attract international capital, technology and high-quality human resources, and helping Danang develop into a regional hub for innovation, finance, logistics and modern healthcare.

Sunwah Group was established in 1957 and is a Hong Kong-based diversified conglomerate. Choi, its chairman, began running the group in 1976, according to the company's introduction.

The company has since expanded into an international multi-sector group operating across eight main areas: seafood and food, property, financial services, information technology, infrastructure, education and training, media, and environmental technology.

Its operations span mainland China and Macau as well as Japan, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe and Australia.

Sunwah has operated in Vietnam for 50 years. As Vietnam's economy has expanded strongly in recent years, the group's investments in the country have continued to grow.

The company currently has investments in Vietnam in seafood and food, property, financial services, coffee, agricultural products and dried foods, and innovation.