In his opening remarks, Le Hai Long, an official of the Vietnam Youth Union Central Committee, expressed a strong desire to foster an open dialogue between young people from both counties to share success stories, effective approaches, orientations, and valuable lessons in the field of tech entrepreneurship and innovation.

According to Long, the theme of the forum is highly relevant and timely in the context of the digital era, where digital transformation is taking place across all aspects of life on a global scale. It offers powerful tools for promoting sustainable development and improving quality of life.

“To seize the opportunities and advantages in the digital age, young people, as the pioneering and driving force on all fronts, must have a clear direction to navigate both the opportunities and challenges. This requires a shift in mindset and awareness, so they can meaningfully contribute to the process of national construction,” said Long.

He also highlighted that the dialogue served as a meaningful platform for practical diplomacy, sparking ideas for bilateral cooperation in the tech and innovation startup scene. It aimed to deepen the bond between the young generations of Vietnam and China, encouraging a generation of bold, visionary, and tech-savvy leaders in this new digital frontier.

Speaking at the forum, Vu Gia Luyen, chairman and CEO of International Technology Solutions JSC, proposed several initiatives to promote deeper cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese startups.

“First and foremost, we should consider forming a Vietnam–China startup community, with support from relevant authorities from both countries. This would operate similarly to the ASEAN Startup Network but with a more focused, bilateral structure that connects startups with investors and experts from both sides,” he suggested.

Building on this foundation, he proposed key pillars for strategic cooperation, including technology, investment, talent exchange, and market sharing. He also envisioned the establishment of joint R&D teams to enhance technical capacity, expert and advisor exchange programmes, and scholarships or youth exchange opportunities for students and professionals.

“Such cooperation would help startups penetrate each other’s markets and support their expansion into regional and global spaces. Vietnamese startups could explore opportunities in China in their areas of strength, while Vietnam could serve as a gateway for Chinese startups to enter the ASEAN market,” he added.

At the forum, Yu Zhang Ding, secretary of the Shapingba District Youth Union in Chongqing, shared a few highlights from Chongqing, a city that is building a dynamic, innovative, and globally oriented startup environment. Recently, the city has developed a great cooperation model between Chongqing University and Hanoi Medical University.

According to Yu, Chongqing is also actively implementing open-door policies aimed at attracting and supporting over 300 young scientists from 27 countries. These initiatives not only contribute to a vibrant innovation ecosystem but also create valuable opportunities for young people to engage and grow.

“We firmly believe that youth are the most energetic and creative force in society. They are the driving spearhead to conquer new technological frontiers. Many young Chinese, with a daring and action-oriented spirit, see this as a call to embark on the journey of entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Yu.

Also at the forum, Zhang Jinquan, vice president of the Shanghai Youth Federation, emphasized that youth entrepreneurship must align with national development strategies. He noted that young entrepreneurs should not only excel in technical skills but also possess the ability to manage resources, especially capital and human resources.

“The journey of entrepreneurship is like a marathon. It demands endurance, perseverance, and long-term strategic planning, not just short bursts of excitement,” he noted.

Concluding the forum, Le Hai Long, an official of the Vietnam Youth Union Central Committee, affirmed that Vietnamese youth always wish to listen to and learn from the valuable practical experiences of young people in China. He emphasized that the success of the forum lies not only in the exchange of ideas but also in opening up many opportunities for deeper cooperation in the future.

“This serves as a crucial foundation for the younger generations of both countries to realize their ideals and fulfill their mission of contributing to the community, thereby advancing sustainable national development and fostering Vietnam–China friendship,” he said.

Vietnam-China youth friendship meeting to begin this week

The 24th Vietnam-China youth friendship meeting is set to be held in Vietnam from April 12 to 18, featuring a range of dynamic and meaningful activities aimed at strengthening ties, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the young generations of both nations.