Vietnam eyes opportunities in Chile as gateway to South American markets

In 2024, two-way trade reached nearly 1.8 billion USD, with Vietnam’s exports, mainly seafood, coffee, rice, and cement, accounting for 1.4 billion USD.

Experts provide information about investment and business opportunities in Chile and South America at the seminar. (Photo: VNA)
Experts provide information about investment and business opportunities in Chile and South America at the seminar. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Chile and South America offer promising opportunities for Vietnamese businesses looking to expand investment and trade, particularly in green and digital economic sectors, heard a trade promotion seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 22.

The event, jointly organised by the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) and Chile’s Export Promotion Bureau (ProChile), highlighted the potential of Chile as gateway to South American markets, including Brazil, Argentina, and Peru.

Speaking at the event, ITPC Deputy Director Ho Thi Quyen noted that amid deepening global economic integration, Vietnam, particularly HCM City, is focusing on market expansion, trade diversification, and attracting foreign investment.

The Vietnam–Chile Free Trade Agreement (VCFTA), which took effect in 2014, along with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have created a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation, Quyen said.

In 2024, two-way trade reached nearly 1.8 billion USD, with Vietnam’s exports, mainly seafood, coffee, rice, and cement, accounting for 1.4 billion USD.

ITPC Deputy Director Ho Thi Quyen speaks at the trade promotion seminar on April 22. (Photo: VNA)

ITPC Deputy Director Ho Thi Quyen speaks at the trade promotion seminar on April 22. (Photo: VNA)

Quyen highlighted Chile as a transparent and stable investment destination, noting that with HCM City’s export turnover to Chile estimated at 53.3 million USD in 2024, there remains ample room for growth and broader cooperation.

Meanwhile, Bui Hoang Yen, who is in charge of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency's Southern Office, noted that while 40.9% of exports to Chile used VCFTA tariff preferences in 2023, the CPTPP usage remained low at just 6.3%. She called on Vietnamese businesses to improve logistics and invest in technology to overcome trade barriers.

ProChile representative Pablo Arancibia encouraged Vietnamese exporters to diversify products and stabilise supply chains, noting that Vietnam’s presence in major South American markets remains limited.

Chile is emerging as a strategic investment hub in South America, offering Vietnamese firms opportunities in seafood, wood processing, and clean energy. As both a trade gateway and strategic partner, it supports Vietnam's market expansion in a region with a 4 trillion-USD GDP. Regular trade promotion and market support are the key to unlocking this potential, he said./.

VNA

See more

A view of the banking strategies forum in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese banks promote development of global strong brands

Vietnamese banks have also proactively improved their image and position in the international arena. According to Brand Finance's 2025 rankings, 13 Vietnamese banks are now listed in the Top 500 banks with the highest brand value globally.

People shop at Go Thang Long supermarket in Hanoi. Photo: VNA)

Hanoi’s CPI up 2.89% in four months

In response to these trends, economic experts have recommended Hanoi to implement a range of measures to manage inflation in the coming months. They emphasised the need to strengthen price monitoring of essential goods, particularly food, fuel, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare services.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh (second from left), Trade Counsellor Le Phu Cuong (far left), and AEON Malaysia executives at the mixed pho booth prepared by AEON. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese specialties introduced to Malaysian consumers

A highlight of the Vietnam Goods Week in Malaysia is the introduction of Vietnamese culinary booths featuring iconic dishes like Vietnamese banh mi (baguette), pho (rice noodle), and coffee by the "Saigon Station" restaurant.

The delegation from Dalhousie University learn about trade opportunities in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Canadian companies shift to Vietnamese market

At the event, the students were informed about how to take advantage of the free trade agreements that Vietnam and Canada have signed to optimise supply chains, production and export channels. In addition, they also heard about Vietnam's potential as an Asian logistics hub.

The "yellow card" has impacted Vietnamese seafood exports to the European markets. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

EC postpones Vietnam’s seafood inspection until year end

The ministry received the notification from the EC’s Directorate – General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG-MARE) in early May, which requested Vietnam to submit a progress report on implementing the EC’s recommended improvements before September 15. The commission will dispatch an inspection team to the country in late 2025 if the report demonstrates sufficient advancements.