Vietnam's Ambassador to India, Trinh Minh Manh, along with an embassy delegation, held structured talks with Tamil Nadu state officials and leading industry bodies from 20 to 22 September 2026, aimed at expanding bilateral investment, production links, and technology cooperation. The meetings signal a deliberate push by Hanoi to deepen economic engagement with one of India's most industrially advanced southern states.

Key Meetings and Agenda

The delegation held discussions with Dr. S. Vijayakumar, Additional Chief Secretary at Tamil Nadu's Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department, focusing on expanding investment flows, production connectivity, and business-to-business linkages. Both sides urged a shift away from general introductions toward concrete, project-level collaboration.

Separately, the delegation met representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), identifying priority sectors including logistics and supply chains, technology, engineering, aviation, chemicals and metals, hospitality, AI, healthcare, automobiles, maritime transport, green energy, higher education, and business incubation.

VinFast and the EV Opportunity

A standout example of the growing bilateral relationship is VinFast's electric vehicle project in Thoothukudi, which both sides cited as a template for deeper industrial cooperation. The project opens potential collaboration across EV components, batteries, charging infrastructure, logistics, research and development, and supply chains — sectors where Tamil Nadu already holds significant industrial capability.

Maritime Links and Manufacturing Hubs

Vietnamese Trade Counsellor and Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in India, Bui Trung Thuong, highlighted what he described as untapped potential in agriculture, fisheries, food processing, ports, logistics, and industrial infrastructure. Thuong specifically advocated for direct maritime connections between Chennai and Thoothukudi and major Vietnamese ports, arguing that shorter sea routes would reduce transport costs and accelerate bilateral trade volumes.

Thuong also proposed that Tamil Nadu businesses in electronics, auto parts, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, food technology, textiles, and supporting industries explore Vietnam as a manufacturing base, a sourcing destination, and a location for research and development.

Why This Engagement Matters

This visit comes amid a broader global realignment of supply chains, with multinational companies increasingly seeking alternatives to concentrated manufacturing in a single geography. Tamil Nadu — already home to automobile clusters, IT corridors, and a growing renewable energy base — is well-positioned as an investment partner for Vietnam's expanding industrial park ecosystem. Industry chambers such as CII and FICCI are expected to serve as institutional bridges, translating diplomatic interest into binding commercial deals. The next steps will likely involve sector-specific task forces and pilot B2B exchanges.