From February 21 to 22, 2025, the Ambassador of Vietnam to India, Nguyen Thanh Hai, attended the 2025 Kerala Global Investment Summit. The summit was organized to attract investment and promote Kerala’s potential in various sectors, including tourism, food processing, medical innovation, digital finance, aviation, defense, and sustainable technology. The event showcased Kerala’s commitment to attracting investment, fostering sustainable development, and advancing science and technology with the goal of becoming a hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Vietnam was a partner country at this year’s summit and had a strong presence through its exhibition booth, featuring participation from numerous businesses and activities promoting business and scientific-technological cooperation, among others. Accompanying the Ambassador were representatives from the Trade Office, the Science and Technology Office, and officials from the Vietnamese Embassy.
Following the opening ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai inaugurated the Vietnam booth at the summit, attended by representatives from the National Startup Association, a delegation from the Lai Chau Department of Industry and Trade, Vietjet Air, Viettravel, and several agricultural businesses, along with artists performing traditional Vietnamese musical instruments. The Ambassador then chaired a discussion session on economic cooperation potential between Vietnam and Kerala, focusing on trade, tourism, and science and technology.
Kerala’s Deputy Minister of Information Technology, Mr. Rathan Kelkar, highlighted the state’s strengths in innovation and startups, particularly its startup support infrastructure, and expressed a desire to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in technology and entrepreneurship. A representative from Vietnam’s National Startup Council expressed interest in collaborating with Kerala to introduce technological solutions for businesses and promote research and human resource training.
During the summit, Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai met with the Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan. The Ambassador reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kerala in trade, investment, science and technology, tourism, and cultural exchange, while extending an invitation for the Chief Minister to visit Vietnam. The Chief Minister appreciated the Vietnamese Embassy’s delegation for attending the summit and expressed his hope for increased collaboration with Vietnam. He also welcomed Vietjet Air’s launch of a direct flight route from Cochin to Ho Chi Minh City and its plans to expand services to Hanoi.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Ambassador met with Mr. Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd., and visited the Kochi Water Metro, India’s first water-based public transport system, which provides sustainable and efficient connectivity between 10 islands and the mainland through 38 terminals and 16 routes covering 76 km. The Ambassador also held discussions with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to explore collaboration opportunities between the two countries in the startup sector. Additionally, he visited Cochin International Airport, the world’s first airport to run entirely on solar energy since 2015, with a solar panel installation capacity of 50 MW.
Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai’s participation in the 2025 Kerala Global Investment Summit and related activities not only strengthened understanding and cooperation between Vietnam and Kerala but also opened up new opportunities for business, investment, tourism, and scientific and technological collaboration between the two sides.
Kerala is one of India’s most developed states, located in the southern part of the country. The state is known for its tourism-driven economy, trade, and scientific and technological advancements, as well as its high quality of life compared to other Indian states. Key industries in Kerala include tourism, labor export, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. The state is also a leading producer of spices (such as black pepper and cardamom), tea, coffee, and coconut oil.
With a literacy rate close to 100%—the highest in India—Kerala offers free public healthcare for the underprivileged and children and boasts a high life expectancy. The state is home to several major IT hubs, including the Super Fablab research facility and Technopark, one of India’s largest technology parks. Kerala is also a pioneer in AI, blockchain, and IoT development. With its open investment policies, well-developed infrastructure, and favorable business environment, Kerala continues to be a standout destination in India’s economic growth.
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