In Vietnam, ‘China plus one’ still needs Chinese input
AI Summary
A discussion at the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 Summit in Ho Chi Minh City examined how production relocations to Vietnam still rely on Chinese inputs and cross-border supply links. Vietnam's plan targets average annual GDP growth of at least 10% from 2026 to 2030, while developing domestic suppliers remains a key challenge.
At the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 Summit in Ho Chi Minh City on November 3, a discussion of regional connectivity explored how goods move across borders. I came away thinking about what stays behind. When production moves to Vietnam, how much of the ability to produce moves with it? Vietnam has set itself an extraordinary ambition. Its five-year plan, approved in April, targets average annual gross domestic product growth of at least 10 per cent from 2026 to 2030. Developing Vietnamese suppliers...