Israel and Vietnam Eye Deeper Tech Cooperation
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Israel and Vietnam are seeking to deepen their economic and technological cooperation, particularly in cybersecurity, smart agriculture, and innovation. This was emphasized during the Vietnam-Israel Innovation Day 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is seen as a strategic partner for Israeli tech, with potential for joint ventures and market expansion into Southeast Asia. Key areas for collaboration include agricultural technology and cybersecurity, with Vietnam aiming to move beyond technology import to establish long-term partnerships.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel and Vietnam aim to boost cooperation in high-tech sectors like cybersecurity and smart agriculture.
- The ambition was reaffirmed at the Vietnam-Israel Innovation Day 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Vietnam is considered a promising partner for Israeli technology due to its market size and workforce.
- Joint investments and phased deployment of Israeli solutions across ASEAN are proposed.
- Priorities include agricultural modernization, biotechnology, and strengthening Vietnam's cybersecurity.
Israel and Vietnam aim to elevate their economic and technological collaboration, focusing on cybersecurity, smart agriculture, biotechnology, and innovation. This shared ambition was reaffirmed on Thursday in Ho Chi Minh City during the Vietnam-Israel Innovation Day 2026, held as part of the Autumn Economic Forum. The event was attended by representatives from both nations, including Israeli Ambassador Irit Savion Waidergorn.
Chen Peretz, head of the Israeli Economic and Commercial Office in Vietnam, highlighted Israel's vibrant tech ecosystem, comprising over 7,000 startups and specialized firms, supported by 517 venture capital funds. In 2023, Israel invested 6.35% of its GDP in research and development, more than double the OECD average, with the private sector accounting for approximately 91% of these investments.
Vietnamese officials view Vietnam as a promising partner due to its population of over 100 million, skilled workforce, and significant industrial capacity, potentially serving as a gateway for Israeli technologies into Southeast Asian markets. Tomer Shpilman of Aurelius Capital proposed a model involving joint investments, testing Israeli solutions in Vietnam, and their phased rollout across ASEAN countries.
Agriculture is a key focus, with Israeli water-saving irrigation, water resource management, and automation technologies poised to modernize Vietnamese production of rice, tropical fruits, and seafood. The countries also plan to enhance exchanges in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, and agricultural product preservation. Cybersecurity is another major area, as Vietnam advances its digital transformation and seeks to bolster the security of its infrastructure and data.
Nguyen Loc Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, outlined three priorities: cybersecurity and specialist training, climate-resilient smart agriculture, and fostering connections between businesses, universities, and research centers. Vietnamese authorities are keen to encourage joint ventures and facilitate the commercialization of innovations, aiming for long-term industrial and scientific partnerships beyond mere technology import.