Indonesia and Vietnam are deepening their strategic partnership, particularly in technology for the digital economy. With a young, tech-savvy population, both countries have the potential to become ASEAN’s digital economic hubs. During the High-Level Business Dialogue in Jakarta, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation beyond trade and investment to include technology and digital transformation.
To accelerate this collaboration, Indonesia and Vietnam signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on Capacity Building in Engineering and Digital Economy, focusing on developing skilled talent, advancing ICT and semiconductor industries, and promoting cross-border digital transactions. This initiative aligns with the upcoming ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA), aimed at strengthening regional digital integration. Bilateral trade continues to grow, reaching USD 15 billion in 2024, with increasing investments in electric vehicles (VinFast), infrastructure, and manufacturing. Expanding air travel between the two nations also supports tourism growth. Looking ahead, both countries seek to enhance trade value through ASEAN Trade Agreements (ATIGA) and high-value product innovation, while addressing non-tariff barriers through continued dialogue.
