​Development perspective:

With a vital role and strategic location, Binh Duong Province must become an important driving force, along with other localities in the region, contributing to building the Southeast region into a dynamic development area, a center of economics, finance, trade, services, education and training, developing high-quality human resources, science - technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The province is striving to play an important role in connecting with other provinces and economic regions.

The development of Binh Duong must be appropriate with the National Master Plan, Southeast Region Plan, and national socio-economic development strategies and plan. It must be consistent and compliant with sustainable development strategies, green growth strategies, and adaptation to climate change. The development of high-tech industries and high-quality services are prioritized. Moreover, the province also focuses on building an industrial, urban, service, and logistics belt along with transportation belts.  It also maximizes internal resources for development and harmoniously combines with external resources for rapid, sustainable, self-reliant development and deep international integration.

Development purpose:

Oriented to 2030, Binh Duong Province will basically become a smart city and meet the criteria of becoming a type I urban area, directly under the Central Government, and one of the modern and creative urban areas. It is expected to also complete an interregional and intraregional transportation system, becoming a regional and world-scale center of finance, trade, education, and health care along with other services.

Binh Duong develops new-generation industries with specialized industrial parks, science-technology industrial parks, green industries, circular industries, and industry 4.0 to create an industrial belt. The province builds a digital government, digital society, and digital economy, strongly reforming administrative procedures. The development in the fields of culture, society, education - training, and health of the province is among the leading localities in the country. Binh Duong also ensures the national defense and political security situation, improves the effectiveness of foreign affairs, and organizes a clean and strong government apparatus in the province.

Orientation for spatial allocation of development motivation:

Binh Duong creates 03 motivation regions (The 1st is from Ring Road 3 to the South; The 2nd is from Ring Road 3 to Ring Road 4; The 3rd is from Ring Road 4 to the North) and 02 ecological corridors (Eastern ecological corridor along Dong Nai River, and Western ecological corridor along Sai Gon River) for breakthrough development and to fully integrate development resources (e.g., geo-economic position, superiority and uniqueness, infrastructure system, competitiveness, potential for linkage, creating attraction and connection, maximizing internal resources combined in harmony with effectively transform external resources, etc.).

Orientation for economic development:

The province inherits and develops the achievements of the existing economic model, innovation, repositioning and spreading the development in an ecological and natural direction based on the achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital transformation. Moreover, it also transforms the development model to a multi-dimensional balanced economic model among industry, urban and services towards high added value.

Orientation for transportation development:

Binh Duong will complete investment in the construction of key national routes through the province, including Ho Chi Minh City - Chon Thanh Expressway, Ring Road 3, Ring Road 4 of Ho Chi Minh City, and Ho Chi Minh Road. The province researches and invests in the construction of Ho Chi Minh City - Loc Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway lines; and researches to build a railway from Bau Bang Industrial Park to Cai Mep - Thi Vai port. Furthermore, it will technically upgrade inland waterway fairways on the Saigon River, raising the clearance of Binh Trieu 1 Bridge, and Dong Nai 1 Bridge to the technical level of fairways.

Binh Duong invests in the construction of gateway projects connecting road traffic between the province and neighboring localities (i.e., Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh Province, Dong Nai Province, and Binh Phuoc Province), focusing on completing important projects such as building Bach Dang 2 bridge across Dong Nai River, roads and bridges connecting Binh Duong and Tay Ninh, upgrading and expanding National Highway 13, etc.

Besides, the province invests in its construction of key transport infrastructure projects: Investing in completing projects on the North-South axis (Tan Van - My Phuoc - Bau Bang road, upgrading DT.741, DT.743, DT.746, DT.747B, riverside road projects, etc.), projects on the East-West axis (Thu Bien - Dat Cuoc road, Bac Tan Uyen - Phu Giao - Bau Bang road, etc. ); Investing in extending urban railway line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) from Suoi Tien station to Binh Duong New City; Investing in building ports on Saigon River and Dong Nai River (An Tay port, Thanh Phuoc port, etc.).

The province focuses on investing in building transport infrastructure connecting logistics centers, inland container depots (ICDs), wharves, yards, and goods transit points, associated with the industrial and urban development roadmap. It will complete the project to improve public transport infrastructure (BRT line) in Binh Duong province, researching investment in urban railway lines, and creating favorable conditions for mobilizing resources for investment in transport infrastructure to improve the quality of transport services and attract people to use public transport.

​1.     Science and Technology Activities in 2023

The province deployed and managed 43 new and urgent topics, projects, and policy proposals, such as the smart village, happy education, improving the civil servants' quality, security, digital economic and social development solutions, etc. 100​% of topics were put into application after acceptance, typically are logistics planning, treatment of respiratory failure, new solutions for worker security, etc. The province supported businesses in digital transformation through quality productivity programs, and intellectual property development, and guided them to set up science and technology funds to improve production lines, personnel coordinated 03 enterprises for participation in the National Quality Award, trained and fostered 4.0 technology applications, etc. Binh Duong approved the Binh Duong Innovation Center (BIIC) Project for the period 2023-2025 and amended and supplemented a support innovative startups project until 2025. The province organized 19 connect events, large-scale conferences on lean production, intellectual property, economic security, an exhibition to celebrate Science and Technology Day, social responsibility in the context of the European-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); Manufacturing Innovation Forum 2023; Science and Technology briefing in the Southeast region; Receiving the Academy Delegation of 04 countries, etc. It also implemented cooperation between the Central Theoretical Council and Binh Duong province on the province's development model project, surveys, discussions, and scientific seminars have been organized. Smart City was fully deployed: Promulgating the Action Program, establishing the Viet Nam-Singapore Innovation Center, and Research on optimal exploitation of IOC data. In 2023, Binh Duong Smart City - Innovation Region was honored by ICF as a Community with a typical smart development strategy.

2.     Orientation for scientific research and technology development at the provincial level

-       Social Sciences and Humanities

Research the scientific and practical basis for planning guidelines, policies, and directions for socio-economic development.

Research solutions to implement the goals and contents of the Party's Resolutions on social stability, education, culture, ethnicity, security, and defense.

Research issues of protecting and promoting cultural values associated with socio-economic development and international integration.

Research and propose policy mechanisms on the development, management, and use of human resources, focusing on labor, wages, education and training, culture, sports and tourism, social insurance, etc.

Research on labor issues in Binh Duong province: housing issues for workers, kindergarten issues; food safety issues; issues in the fields of health and education; building cultural and spiritual life for workers, etc.

-       Education and training

Research and apply the achievements of science and technology in teaching and educational management. Deploy and replicate the application of experiential initiatives.

-       Healthcare

Research and develop methods combining modern medicine and traditional medicine in diagnosis, treatment, care, and protection of public health.

Research and apply science and technology in population work and develop and transfer models to improve population quality in the new situation.

Promote scientific research activities, summary, and assessment of disease and disability models in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of some prenatal and neonatal diseases.

-       Agriculture

Research, apply, and transfer new high-quality varieties suitable for urban agriculture. Build urban agricultural production models and processes that are sustainable and safe for the environment.

Build a model to apply technical advances to improve the productivity and quality of some citrus fruit trees in the province to meet VietGAP standards and connect with the consumer market. Develop specialty fruit trees along Dong Nai and Saigon rivers associated with eco-tourism and resorts.

Research, apply, and develop new and advanced technologies in preserving and processing citrus trees.

Apply advanced science and technology and biotechnology to improve economically effective plant varieties. Apply technical advances and new technology to seed production, food production, and care processes.

Build and transfer new and progressive processes in the field of afforestation and high-quality intensive production.

Strengthen research and application of science and technology transfer in food production, preservation, and processing. Focus on researching, selecting, creating, and developing crops, livestock, and aquatic breeds with high productivity, quality, disease resistance, and adaptation to climate change. For rice and fruit trees, focus on selecting varieties that are nutritious, drought-resistant, and waterlogged. Promote research and application of mechanization and synchronous automation from production to harvesting, preservation, and processing.

Scientific research and technology transfer to serve the development of organic agriculture. Develop science and technology solutions to serve the development of organic agriculture. Promote international cooperation in scientific research and technology transfer to serve the production of inputs for organic agricultural production.

Research and apply science and technology related to agricultural production management. Apply and transfer scientific and technological advances in production in social life to serve the construction of smart villages in Bach Dang commune, Tan Uyen City.

Research and apply science and technology to serve forestry development. Apply science and technology to exploiting and processing forest products, creating attractive conditions for businesses.

Research and apply scientific and technical advances. Apply and transfer new and advanced technologies in animal husbandry.

Research and apply science and technology to develop aquaculture and build a new model of aquaculture to serve aquaculture development. Research and apply science and technology to serve environmental monitoring and warning in aquaculture.

-       Natural resources and environment conservation

Research the effects of industrial development and urban development on the environment, natural resources, climate change, and people's health in current conditions and predictions for the future.

Research and apply new equipment and technology to serve the field of environmental and resource protection.

Research and apply clean production technology, energy-saving technology, renewable energy technology, and environmentally friendly technology in production and business to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and reduce environmental pollution.

Research and develop new and advanced technologies, especially in the fields of energy and waste treatment to adapt to climate change.​

Promote research activities and application of scientific and technological achievements in overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals/dioxins after wars in Viet Nam.

-       Information technology and communication

Research and apply information technology in the operations of state agencies to gradually build an electronic government according to the general orientation of the province. Research and propose an open-oriented information and communication technology architecture framework for smart cities as a foundation for the development of smart urban solutions.

Research risks from network security, ensure network information security, assess risks, monitor, detect attacks, warn early, promptly prevent, and respond to safety-related incidents information as well as safety for information systems and automation systems, monitoring and control systems in key infrastructure and data of the province.

Research and apply the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to serve social-economic management.

Research and develop digital transformation for priority areas of the province, i.e., health, education - training, industrial production and logistics, transportation, natural resources and environment, planning and management of urban areas, agriculture, culture and tourism, and energy.

-       Transportation

Research solutions to reduce accidents and traffic congestion. Apply scientific and technological advances in multimodal transport management, logistics services, and load control. Research reasonable, scientific, and step-by-step modern solutions for organizing and managing transportation. Apply information technology in traffic network management and planning.

Research smart transportation systems in Binh Duong province towards building a smart city.

Research and apply science and technology in traffic management, smart traffic, and ensure road traffic order and safety.

-       Service and economy

Research and propose policy solutions related to operating organizational models when building smart cities, policy mechanisms, solutions on financial attraction models, communication, and building ecosystems entrepreneurial attitude.

Research science and technology solutions to build and develop a smart city to improve people's quality of life, reduce resource consumption costs, and improve communication and interaction between people and government.

Research and apply science and technology in the field of economical and efficient use of energy in the province.

-       Security and order, national defense

Research solutions to improve the effectiveness of ensuring social safety in key areas in the province such as industrial zones, clusters, and bordering areas. Organize crime issues. Solutions to prevent murder due to social causes.

Research solutions to improve the efficiency of immigration management, security and order issues in industrial zones, clusters, boarding houses, and acts of gathering, demonstrations, and strikes that cause difficulties for businesses and production stagnation.

Research and apply science to serve the prevention and combat of crimes and violations of the law, especially crimes using high technology and drug crimes, etc. Build and implement public science tasks technology to improve crime prevention and control and ensure security and order in the province.

Scientific research, apply, and develop advanced technology to serve fire prevention, fighting, and rescue in the province.

Research and apply science and technology in the military and defense fields.

3.     Situation and orientation of science, technology, and innovation development

Orientations, mechanisms, and policies on science, technology, and innovation are specified in accordance with the socio-economic conditions of the province.

With the attention and direction of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee, many central legal documents have been specified to suit local conditions, and administrative procedure reform has improved. Since then, scientific and technological activities have had positive changes, contributing to socio-economic development, forming a solid legal corridor, bringing efficiency in management, serving production and business activities, and creating a trust of businesses and people in the local government apparatus. This has brought out the unique attractive advantages of Binh Duong, forming the general development orientation for sectors and localities in terms of social-economic development. The system of Resolutions, Directives, and Action Programs is gradually coming to life. In particular, Binh Duong has issued many important Resolutions and Decisions (03 Resolutions from the People's Council, and 01 Decision from the People's Committee) to promote the development of innovative start-up activities in the province. This is a breakthrough, a new creation with clear processes, mechanisms, and norms to create all conditions to support business incubators - start-up support organizations, start-up businesses, groups, and individuals.

With new creations, Binh Duong wishes to elevate the role of science and technology, innovation, rapid and sustainable development based on science and technology; improve research capacity, and master new technology. The province also wishes to take businesses as the center of innovation, research, development, application, and technology transfer.

The government creates a playground, forms and stimulates social resources to participate in the development.

During the period 2012 – 2022, Binh Duong clearly defined that science–technology is the bridge that creates connections between industries, localities, businesses, and institutions to solve political tasks.

Binh Duong regularly coordinates to participate in professional support activities; organizes many training classes and conferences to disseminate and propagate to departments, branches, and localities; coordinates with universities, research institutes, the Economic Division, and the Provincial Farmers' Association to transfer scientific and technical advances to the locality; develops and signs coordination programs with units in the province. The results show that Binh Duong has implemented many science and technology tasks in many different fields, solving many urgent needs according to orders from the province and localities. The topics are often highly applicable, providing many scientific and practical arguments to solve the concerns of industries, localities, and businesses and improve productivity, quality, and management efficiency. Binh Duong always accompanies and supports businesses in building and applying advanced quality management systems and protecting industrial property rights. It supports businesses to research, deploy, and innovate technology, participate in national science and technology programs, equipment and technology markets, technology supply and demand forums, and the program to support innovative startups in the province.

On March 19, 2018, with the approval of the Provincial People's Committee, the Project "Establishment of the Center for Community Initiatives and Startup Support of Binh Duong Province" was officially implemented (Decision No. 708/QD-UBND). The center is essentially an open space, a common roof - a convergence of resources from the province's startup support policy and a network of links and connections with components in the startup ecosystem internally and externally, which aims to support and promote the development of creative startups in the province.

The center is an open space serving all individuals, communities, people, and businesses in Binh Duong province. It currently has many functional spaces such as co-working spaces, meeting rooms, group work rooms, relaxation rooms, online meeting rooms, STEM/STEAM educational spaces, training spaces, FabLab manufacturing laboratories, etc.

Besides, Binh Duong has formed intermediary organizations in the science and technology market. These organizations have been working actively, contributing greatly to promoting the development of the innovative ecosystem in the province. For example:

+ Becamex Business Incubator (BBI) at Eastern International University;

+ Startup Club established by Thu Dau Mot University;

+ Organizing support for business establishment at Binh Duong University;

+ Instruct the Thuy Loi University – Southern Campus (Campus 2) to establish an Agricultural Startup Support Center in the province;

+ 07 laboratories based on the local strengths: Mechanical Engineering Fablab (Viet Nam – Singapore Vocational College); Biotechnology Fablab (Thu Dau Mot University); Multidisciplinary Fablab (Binh Duong Community Initiative and Start-up Support Center); Becamex manufacturing laboratory; Philips Lighting Lab at Eastern International University; Becamex Research and Development Institute; Joint research and development department of VNTT and Wustech. Among them, 02 Fablabs have participated in the world Fablab network, one is at the Binh Duong Community Initiative and Start-up Support Center, and the other is at Eastern International University.

Binh Duong's development of science and technology and innovative startups is always associated with the "enterprise-centered" perspective.

The province has always created favorable conditions for businesses to accompany and deploy in the fields of social infrastructure development, industrial infrastructure, transportation, logistics, etc. It has also accompanied businesses to develop and upgrade international cooperation relationships, attract resources, exchange, and share experiences, apply modern and advanced science and technology, access new investment opportunities, and maximize cooperation opportunities with international networks and organizations of smart cities, science and technology in the world. Binh Duong promotes investment activities, supports businesses to carry out R&D activities, improves technology and management levels, rises to higher levels in the value chain, and creates products and new services. It also promotes the implementation of intellectual property work and creates conditions for businesses to improve their competitiveness and to participate in activities connecting technology supply and demand in the area. New technologies and technology transfer activities are gradually coming closer to businesses and people.

Over the past few years, Binh Duong has regularly expanded cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City National University in scientific research and technology development, technology transfer, and human resource training for the period 2017 – 2022. It has diversified partners and promoted domestic and international cooperation in science and technology with key areas, and priority areas, linking science and technology cooperation with economic cooperation. In 2022, Binh Duong coordinated sectors within the province and outside the province (Science and Technology Sector, Agriculture and Rural Development, Phu Giao District People's Committee, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) to jointly organize a seminar, i.e., "Science, Technology and Innovation: The resilience of high-tech agriculture in Binh Duong province" to propagate the Vietnamese Science and Technology Day May 18.

Besides, Binh Duong has created opportunities for units and businesses in the province to participate in regional Techmart activities organized in other cities and provinces. It has promoted the implementation of the online Science and Technology Information Consulting Center; organized and operated the virtual technology and equipment trading floor with the orientation of becoming one of the reputable e-commerce floors in Binh Duong province in particular and the southern region in general, moving towards connection to share information with regional and domestic technology and equipment exchanges. These are extremely important connection activities that help Binh Duong in general, and businesses in particular, have important opportunities to network, and at the same time promote the province's image throughout Viet Nam.

Binh Duong develops the triple helix model throughout the province's development orientation

Binh Duong started to implement the Smart City project in 2016 with the foundation of the triple helix model (Government – Business – University/ Institution). The model sets citizens and knowledge as the center, the government plays the leading role so that science – and technology can develop simultaneously. The parties cooperate on a basis of voluntary, discuss together, share vision, opportunities, challenges, and resources to build common development orientations for the locality, and commit to implementing it together.

Binh Duong has built a system of mechanisms and policies to promote innovative startup support activities, encouraging social resources to jointly invest in the above startup ecosystem development goals. Those mechanisms and policies identify state budget sources as bait capital, encouraging social capital sources to invest together. Binh Duong always creates favorable conditions for all economic sectors in society to participate.

Binh Duong has always considered the human as the leading factor, dominating all other factors. Binh Duong is trying to build a smart economy that solves the issues of cooperation, investment, production, entrepreneurship spirit, creativity, flexibility to adapt to market changes, international integration ability, digital transformation capabilities, etc. in accordance with the spirit of Resolution 52 of the Politburo. The province has built a provincial-level digital transformation strategy, which focuses on accelerating the development of e-government, and digital transformation in the industry, developing smart manufacturing, smart factories, etc. applying core technologies of the fourth industrial revolution such as artificial intelligence, big data, Blockchain, etc. With the development trend of science and technology, shifting towards smart city development is an inevitable solution for urban problems. These are important directions that Binh Duong has always determined throughout its development process.

Promote domestic and international linkage and cooperation activities

In recent years, the Science and Technology sector has coordinated with other sectors to advise the Provincial People's Committee to organize many national and international events: the  Binh Duong Scientific Conference; an Event honoring ICF top 7, Horasis India, a Scientific conference on high-tech agriculture, a Scientific conference on post-Covid recovery, etc. Especially the international Techfest Viet Nam 2022 event series, with over 30 seminars, hundreds of exhibition booths, and more than 7,000 visitors, and the imprint program with the direct participation and direction of the Prime Minister, etc. Over the past few years, the science and technology industry has always been active and proactive in connecting and cooperating with parties, opening up many new science and technology activity programs. Particularly, the Department of Science and Technology has signed official cooperation agreements with many units, like the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry; with the Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, Provincial Farmers' Association, Cooperative Alliance, Provincial Youth Union, Dau Tieng Rubber Company, World Trade Center Binh Duong New City, etc. The Department of Science and Technology was assigned as the focal point to connect strategic cooperation between the Provincial Party Committee and the Central Theoretical Council, the Provincial People's Committee, and Ho Chi Minh City National University. The industry's efforts during the year have contributed to bringing the province several international and national awards: Binh Duong is one of six localities achieving TOP Industry 4.0 in Viet Nam 2022 (honored by the Viet Nam Science and Technology Associations in coordination with ministries and central branches), honored by the World Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) as Top 1 community with a typical Smart City development strategy 2023.

1. Daejeon Metropolitan City (South Korea)

On May 17^th, 2005, Binh Duong Province and Daejeon Metropolitan City signed an agreement on developing friendly relations and investment cooperation between the two localities.

Daejeon Metropolitan City is the 5^th largest city in South Korea with an area of 540 kilometers square and a population of 1.54 million people (2012). Daejeon is one of the Administrative Centers of the South Korean government where many Central Agencies are located. Besides, there are many universities, museums, science parks, and research institutes in South Korea such as Chungnam National University, and South Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Daejeon City is also known as the "Silicon Valley of Asia" and a city of advanced science and technology. Daedok Innopolis (Daedeok Special Zone for Research and Development) located in Daejeon includes the National Research Institute and 79 Private Research Institutes with 20.000 people.

Based on the signed agreement, yearly, leaders of Binh Duong Province and Daejeon Metropolitan City usually exchange high levels of delegations to visit and work to tighten cooperation relations and evaluate the process of implementing agreements signed by the two sides. Exchange programs, exchange cultures, and learning about customs and practices between student groups of the two localities occur annually (from 2004 to the present, there have been 11 student groups of the two localities, and they have had cultural exchanges in Binh Duong and Daejeon). These are cross-cultural activities that create conditions for students from both sides to have opportunities to exchange and learn about Vietnamese and Korean culture, contributing to deepening their friendly and cooperative relations.

Every year, Binh Duong province regularly organizes visits and seminars on investment promotion in Daejeon as well as in Seoul and other localities of South Korea.

Based on the friendly cooperative relationship between Binh Duong Province and Daejeon Metropolitan City, Binh Duong Provincial Public Security and Daejeon Police Agency established a friendly cooperative relationship in 2018 and officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2019.

2. Champasak Province (Lao People's Democratic Republic)

On November 13^th, 2006, Binh Duong Province and Champasak Province signed an agreement to develop friendly and cooperative relationships between the two localities.

Champasak Province is located in a key position at the intersection of the East-West corridor and borders Thailand and Cambodia. It has a strategic economic position and is a traffic hub for Thailand, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. The province has an area of 15.410 km2 and a population of about 700.000 people (2015). The province's economy is mainly based on agricultural products, especially the production of industrial crops such as coffee, tea, rubber, etc. This is one of the most important coffee-producing regions of Laos with Salavan and Sekong provinces. Pakse is the main trade and travel route connecting Thailand, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.

Based on the Friendly Cooperation Agreement signed on November 13^th, 2006, between Binh Duong Province and Champasak Province (Laos), to strengthen the special friendly cooperation relationships between the two localities, in September 2016, Binh Duong Province and Champasak Province summarized, evaluated the results of cooperation in the period of 2011-2015 and continued to sign a Memorandum of Agreement on cooperation in the period of 2016-2020. In August 2022, the delegation of Secretaries - Governors of Champasak Province visited, worked, and signed Meeting Minutes with leaders of Binh Duong Province on cooperation in the period of 2022-2026. Thereby, the two localities regularly send delegations to visit and work with each other to tighten relationships in many fields.

To implement the Agreement and improve the effectiveness of cooperation between the two localities, in recent times, the Binh Duong provincial departments and branches have signed MOUs between the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Duong Province and the Lao Front Committee for National Construction of Champasak Province (2019-2024); between the Department of Binh Duong Provincial Industry and Trade and the Department of Champasak Provincial Industry and Trade (2011); between the Binh Duong Provincial People's Procuracy and the Champasak Provincial People's Procuracy (2019).

Regarding economic cooperation: Binh Duong Province has actively implemented the project of planting 10.000 hectares of rubber trees and projects to develop the ceramic and construction materials industries in Champasak Province.

To implement the agreement between the two sides on cooperation in training and developing human resources, every year, Binh Duong Province offers full scholarships for students from Champasak Province to study at the university in Binh Duong. Up to now, Binh Duong Province has granted 93 scholarships to Lao students (52 students have graduated and returned to their country, and 41 students are studying at Thu Dau Mot University). From 2022 to 2026, Binh Duong Province will support training 20 students of Champasak Province each year to study at universities in the province.

At the same time, Binh Duong Province supported 100 senior retired officers from Champasak Province to have free medical examination, treatment, and short-term rest. In addition, in recent years, Binh Duong Province has also sent many delegations of doctors, medical staff and volunteers to examine, treat, and distribute medicine to people in Paksé District, Bachieng District, and Phonthong District of Champasak Province.

3. Kratie Province (The Kingdom of Cambodia)

The friendly cooperative relationship between Binh Duong Province and Kratie Province is based on the traditional relationship between Song Be Province and Kratie Province in the past.

Kratie Province is located in the East of Cambodia on the Mekong River. Kratie has an area of 11.094 km2 and a population of about 372.000 people (2019).

Based on the traditional friendly relationship between the two localities, in recent years, Binh Duong has actively implemented many foreign economic and cultural activities with Kratie Province and other localities of Cambodia. Besides, local leaders regularly organize delegations to visit, wish Happy New Year, and attend the locality's major events.

Over the past years, the Viet Nam - Cambodia Friendship Association, Binh Duong Province has truly become a bridge to contribute to cultivating a close relationship between Viet Nam and Cambodia in general and Binh Duong and Kratie in particular.

Binh Duong Province and Kratie Province have signed 06 agreements on security and national defense cooperation including 01 agreement signed by the Provincial Military Command with the Military Sub-Region of Kratie Province, and 05 agreements between the Military Command of Thu Dau Mot City, Di An City, Ben Cat Town, Thuan An City and Tan Uyen City and Kratie Provincial Military Sub-Regions.

Leaders of Cambodia's localities always encourage and create favorable conditions for businesses in the province to promote trade and exports and expand investment cooperation with Cambodia. Currently, Phuoc Hoa Rubber Development Company Limited has invested in newly planting rubber in the Kratie Province and Kampong Thom Province.

4. Guangzhou City (China)

On August 21^st, 2013, Binh Duong Province and Guangzhou City (China) signed an Agreement on strengthening the friendly cooperative relationship between the two localities.

Guangzhou City is located in the Southeast of Guangdong Province and borders the Southern coast of China. The city has an area of 7.434.4 km2 and a population of 13.5 million people (2015). Being a famous economic center of China, Guangzhou also owns a developed transportation system and seaport. Along with Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, Guangzhou is one of the most expensive real estate markets in China. Guangzhou is famous for the annual Hangzhou Fair, the oldest and largest trade fair in China. For three successive years from 2013 to 2015, Forbes magazine ranked Guangzhou as the best commercial city in China.

Based on the signed Friendly Cooperation Agreement, the two sides sent delegations of government and business leaders to visit, work, and learn about each other's socio-economic development situation and opportunities for investment cooperation.

Binh Duong Province will continue to promote the cooperative relationship with Guangzhou City and increase the exchange of delegations between the two sides, especially business delegations to promote investment.

5. Emilia – Romagna Region (Italian Republic)

On October 16^th, 2013, Binh Duong Province signed a "Joint Declaration on strengthening friendly cooperative relationships" with the Emilia-Romagna regional government and a "MOU on strengthening economic and trade cooperation" with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the Emilia-Romagna region.

Besides, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the Emilia-Romagna region officially opened a representative office in Binh Duong Province on September 11^th, 2015. This is a bridge for investment and trade promotion of Italian businesses in general and Emilia-Romagna regional businesses investing in Binh Duong in particular, and it contributed to strengthening friendly relationships.

On September 11^th, 2015, leaders of Binh Duong Province witnessed the signing ceremony of a MOU between Becamex IDC Corp and Unioncamere Emilia-Romagna; between Unimore University and Bonfiglioli Company; between Eastern International University and Unimore University.

The Emilia-Romagna region is located in Northern Italy with an area of 22.446 km2 and a population of about 4.4 million people (2010). Emilia-Romagna is one of the wealthiest and most developed regions in Italy with the third highest GDP per capita in the country. Emilia-Romagna is also a center of culture and tourism, and it is home to the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world still in existence nowadays, with Roman and Renaissance cities such as Modena, Parma and Ferrara. Besides, Emilia-Romagna is also a food and car production center (where the headquarters of car manufacturers are located including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, De Tomaso, Ducai, etc.). Binh Duong Province has organized many investment promotion seminars, introduced the province's investment environment, and attracted investment capital from businesses in the Emilia-Romagna Region and other Italian localities. In addition, the Emilia-Romagna Commercial Office in Binh Duong Province is also a bridge to organize a Roundtable Conference to introduce opportunities for investment cooperation between businesses of the two localities.

6. Yamaguchi Prefecture (Japan)

On December 25^th, 2014, Binh Duong Province and Yamaguchi Prefecture (Japan) signed an agreement on strengthening the friendly cooperative relationship between the two localities.

Yamaguchi Prefecture is located on Shikoku Island, Chugoku region, Japan, with an area of 6,112.94 km2 and, and a population of 1.4 million people (2015). Yamaguchi thrives in the petrochemical industry, heavy industry, shipbuilding industry, electronics, agriculture, aquaculture, processing, fishing, etc. Its strengths in the petrochemical industry and shipbuilding have contributed to bringing Yamaguchi to 8th position in the Japanese economy. Currently, the province is promoting cooperation between state-owned companies and corporations with private enterprises and universities applying scientific and technological achievements for economic development.

In recent years, the two sides have strengthened their friendly relationships through the exchange of high-level leadership delegations as well as the organization of investment promotion seminars to attract investment into Binh Duong province.

Based on the Friendly Cooperation Agreement signed on December 25^th, 2014, between Binh Duong Province and Yamaguchi Prefecture (Japan), to strengthen the friendly and comprehensive cooperation relationship between the two localities, on September 8^th, 2023, Binh Duong Province and Yamaguchi Prefecture signed a MOU in the field of nursing.

In addition, Eastern International University (EIU) signed 08 MOUs and International Agreements with Yamaguchi University and YIC Rehabilitation College. Besides, the exchange and agreement of signing an MOU with Yamaguchi Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefectural University are being implemented to promote cooperative activities in the fields of English training, nursing, and other exchange and visit activities.

Through establishing cooperative relationships, the province has regularly exchanged high-level delegations and business delegations to visit, work, and exchange experiences. The province also organized many promotion programs to invite investment in Yamaguchi Prefecture and other localities in Japan and attracted many Japanese projects of great value in the fields of infrastructure construction, transportation, and services contributing to the process of modernization, urbanization, and building a modern and civilized Binh Duong urban area.

Some major projects: Panasonic Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Foster Electronics Corporation, Tokyu Corporation, Fujikura Company, Aeon Mall Viet Nam Co., Ltd, etc.

7. Eindhoven City (The Kingdom of the Netherlands)

On January 16^th, 2015, Binh Duong Province and Eindhoven City signed a MOU on strengthening friendly relations and expanding cooperative activities in the fields of planning and infrastructure development, urban construction, economic development, science and technology, health, and education. The two localities prioritize promoting scientific and technical cooperation activities, trade promotion and investment cooperation in the fields of industry and high-tech services, education - training, research centers and business incubators, and improving human resources and supply value chains. The authorities of the two sides jointly create favorable conditions for business delegations of the two localities to learn about and promote trade and investment promotion activities following the potential and strengths of each side. At the same time, the two sides make joint efforts to build sustainable relationships that contribute to promoting socio-economic development.

Eindhoven City is the center of North Brabant Province, Netherlands, known as a smart city and a major technology center of Europe. With an area of 88.84 km2 and a population of about 750.000 people (2010), this place is also a major innovation center, economic, research, and higher education center of the Netherlands. Eindhoven is the birthplace of large corporations in the world such as Philips, Daf Trucks, Brabantia, etc. In addition, there are more than 1.300 multinational companies and 19.200 researchers, in which the products that the city of Eindhoven has strengths are automobile accessories, electronic chip manufacturing, electronics, urban development planning, and smart technology.

Eindhoven is the locality that has the highest economic growth rate among the five largest cities in the Netherlands, not the capital of Amsterdam or the port city of Rotterdam. The high-tech industry makes an important contribution to Eindhoven's economic development and helps this locality always have a higher growth rate than the other four cities of the Netherlands.

The Binh Duong Smart City project was approved by the Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 3206/QD-UBND dated November 21^st, 2016 (including members from the Binh Duong provincial government, Becamex IDC Corp, Eindhoven city government and Brainport Group) was established to study the feasibility of the triple helix model (state, business, and university).

Based on the friendly cooperative relationship between the two localities, Eindhoven has sent experts to support Binh Duong in building and implementing the Binh Duong Smart City Project with the breakthrough strategy of Binh Duong 2021. Binh Duong has gradually implemented the Binh Duong Smart City Project and achieved some initial results such as establishing an incubator, Fablab, Techlab, and LED project of urban lighting in cooperation with Philips Group of Eindhoven city, etc. With the support of Eindhoven City, in October 2018, Binh Duong was the first locality in Viet Nam to officially become a member of the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) and was honored as one of 21 cities and regions with a typical smart city development strategy in the world (Smart21) for 5 successive years from 2019 to 2023. Especially, Binh Duong Province has been honored by the ICF to be in the TOP 7 and has been one of 07 communities with world-class smart development strategies for 3 successive years from 2021 to 2023.

Every year, high-level delegations and representatives of businesses in Binh Duong Province regularly visit, work, and organize seminars to attract investment in Eindhoven City and other localities of the Netherlands as well as in other European provinces and cities.

8. East Flanders Province (The Kingdom of Belgium)

On October 14^th, 2015, Binh Duong Province and East Flanders Province (Belgium) signed a MOU to establish a friendly cooperative relationship. This is a good opportunity for Binh Duong Province to conduct trade promotion activities, call for investment expansion, modern technology transfer, and cooperation in the fields of logistics, high-tech agriculture, and research, etc. from East Flanders Province and other localities of the Kingdom of Belgium.

East Flanders Province has an area of 2.982 km2 and a population of 1.5 million people. East Flanders is one of 5 provinces and cities in the Flamand Region - the key economic region of the Kingdom of Belgium and the whole of Europe with a concentration of many logistics centers and large seaports of the Kingdom of Belgium. Ghent City is the capital of East Flanders Province, known as "Europe's Silicon Valley", which has many famous information technology and multimedia companies.

The East Flanders Province is considered "where knowledge comes into play" with strengths in logistics services and knowledge activities. It is a highly developed logistics and technological area. The combination of knowledge and logistics strengths creates some unique local positions. One of the strengths of East Flanders Province is that it is located in a strategic geographical area connecting the developed economic regions of Europe from Manchester (UK) to Milan (Italy) the region contributing up to 2/3 GDP of the European Union. The transportation network system is widely developed and effectively connected by road, rail, and waterway. The province has two seaports, i.e., Ghent Port and Waasland Port, and part of Antwerp Port (the second largest seaport in Europe connecting trade with the world).

Based on cooperation, the two sides have strengthened their friendship through the exchange of high-level delegations as well as the organization of a seminar to promote investment attraction in Binh Duong Province.

9. Emmen City (The Kingdom of the Netherlands)

On November 17^th, 2015, Binh Duong Province and Emmen City (The Kingdom of the Netherlands) signed a cooperation agreement between the two sides on strengthening the friendly cooperative relationship and expanding cooperative activities in various fields: Economy, trade, services, tourism, import-export, and investment cooperation.

Emmen City is located in the Northeast of the Netherlands and has an area of 346.25 km2 and a population of more than 107.000 people (2018). Emmen is the largest industrial center in the Northern Netherlands and is famous for its chemical industries, high technology, manufacturing and materials, logistics, agriculture, oil and gas exploitation, etc. Stenden University in Emmen City is one of the most famous universities in the Netherlands. Currently, the University has established a group of research and development cooperation with countries around the world including Binh Duong province.

Every year, high-level delegations and representatives of businesses in Binh Duong Province also visit, work, and organize seminars to attract investment in Emmen City, other localities of the Netherlands as well as in other European provinces and cities.

10. Oryol Oblast (Russian Federation)

On July 7^th, 2017, Binh Duong Province signed a MOU for cooperation with Oryol oblast (Russian Federation).

Oryol Province of the Russian Federation has Oryol City as its administrative center and is far away about 360 km southwest of Moscow. With an area of 24.652 km2 and a population of 769.980 people, Oryol oblast is divided into 24 administrative units including 7 cities and 14 districts. The province's main industries include the food processing industry, construction materials industry, light industry, machinery and equipment manufacturing industry for agriculture and other industries (accounting for 30% of the province's production value), etc. In addition, Oryol Province is a locality with many large-scale mechanical and electronic manufacturing companies, applying modern science and technology.

Based on cooperation, Binh Duong Province has also sent high-level delegations and representatives of Binh Duong Province's businesses to visit, work, and promote investment attraction into Binh Duong Province.

11. Gangnam District, Seoul (South Korea)

On January 6^th, 2022, Binh Duong Province and Gangnam District, Seoul (South Korea) signed an online strategic cooperation agreement to promote investment, international trade activities, and the exchange of culture and tourism. Especially, the two sides cooperated in the organization of international conferences, fairs, and exhibitions as well as promoted cultural exchange and introduction activities of the two sides.

Gangnam is one of 25 districts in Seoul, South Korea. Gangnam District belongs to the Gangnam area located in the Southeast of the city with an area of 39.5 km2 and a population of 527.641 people. This is one of Seoul's wealthiest districts.

12. State of Nebraska (USA)

On July 12^th, 2023, Binh Duong Province signed a friendly cooperative relationship with the state of Nebraska (USA).

Nebraska is a state located in the Great Plains and Midwest region of the United States. The state of Nebraska has 93 districts with an area of more than 200.000 km2and a population of about 1.9 million people. Nebraska is a strong state in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, freight, telecommunications, information technology, and insurance. In 2021, Nebraska's GDP reached 123.9 billion dollars and was ranked 35th among the 50 states of the USA.

13. Artemisa Province (Cuba)

On August 25^th, 2023, Binh Duong Province signed a MOU on establishing cooperative relations and twinning with Artemisa Province (Cuba).

Artemisa Province is one of Cuba's two new provinces established on August 1^st, 2010, with the division of La Habana Province. The capital and largest city of the province is Artemisa with an area of 4.004.27 km2 and a population of 502.392 people. The province is located on the line of the main highway and main railway between Havana and Pinar del Río. This is also the area where Thai Binh Viet Nam Company is investing and operating. Although it is newly established, Artemisa Province has made many contributions to Cuba and played an important role in the country's industrial and agricultural activities. This is also the main agricultural product supply for the La Habana capital.

* International organizations

With appropriate development orientation and efforts, Binh Duong Province has achieved some very encouraging results and is the first locality in Viet Nam to officially become a member of the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). For 5 successive years from 2019 to 2023, Binh Duong has been honored by ICF as one of 21 cities with the world's typical smart city development strategy - SMART 21. Especially, Binh Duong Province has been honored by the ICF Forum to be in the TOP 7, and it is one of 07 communities with the world's typical smart development strategies for 3 successive years from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, Binh Duong was in the TOP 1 of ICF.

Binh Duong is now a trusted partner of 03 international organizations including ICF, Horasis, and the World Trade Center Association (WTCA).

* Friendship organizations:

In recent times, as a socio-political organization specializing in people diplomatic work, the Union of Friendship Organizations of Binh Duong Province has always focused on consolidating and expanding people-to-people relations with countries, especially localities with close traditional relationships with the province. The Union has now established 10 Friendship Associations (including Viet Nam - Cambodia Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - Laos Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - South Korea Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - China Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - Japan Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - India Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - Federal Republic of Germany Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - Singapore Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam - Netherlands Friendship Association of Binh Duong Province) and 01 Committee to establish Viet Nam - ASEAN Friendship Association in Binh Duong Province with more than 2.000 members participating in activities.

The Union and Friendship Associations always focus on strengthening foreign affairs activities, education, friendly exchanges, cooperation, and charity support, with many outstanding forms such as "The Joint Mekong River -  Deep Love" program for cultural exchanges with Southeast Asian countries; "Nurturing Friendship" program mobilizes society to award scholarships to Cambodian and Lao's students studying at the Military Engineering Officer School; "Kocham Scholarship - Raising Dreams" program awards scholarships to students in difficult circumstances who study well; Korean and Japanese cultural festivals; Art performance programs, cultural and artistic exchanges, concerts of Viet Nam and other countries; "Korean Cultural Experience - Homestay" program; Responding to International Yoga Day program; Activities to introduce the January Full Moon Festival, etc. From there, it has contributed to tightening the solidarity between the people of Binh Duong and the people of other countries.

In recent years, the international position of Binh Duong Province has improved. The Union of Friendship Organizations and Friendship Associations have linked the common task of people-to-people diplomatic work oriented by the Central Government with the direction of the Provincial Party Committee and operation of the Provincial People's Committee. People-to-people diplomacy activities have been through to actively introduce and promote Binh Duong's potential and investment opportunities to people of other countries and international organizations. At the same time, the Union of Friendship Organizations also coordinates to effectively mobilize international organizations and foreign non-governmental organizations and attract a variety of international resources to serve socio-economic development and social security programs in the province.

In the coming time, the activities of the Union of Friendship Organizations and members of Friendship Associations will continue to focus on propagating the achievements achieved after more than 35 years of innovation of the country in general, and 25 years of Binh Duong's construction and development in particular. It will continue to promote the establishment of more appropriate new Friendship Associations. Besides, it is necessary to strengthen friendly cooperation between Binh Duong and foreign localities and promote the image of the country and the people of Viet Nam as well as Binh Duong Province to international friends.

​

Yamaguchi city hall

Yamaguchi Prefecture is located in the westernmost part of Honshu, and is surrounded on three sides by the sea. With the Chugoku mountain range running from East to West, Yamaguchi Prefecture can be broadly divided up into three regions: the Seto Inland Sea area, the inland mountain area, and the Japan Sea coast area.

The population is approximately 1.41 million people (according to a year 2015 census), and the area is approximately 6,100 km2. The prefectural government capital is located in Yamaguchi City.
Yamaguchi Prefecture boasts a mild climate and is largely spared from earthquake, flood and storm damage. It enjoys the reputation of being a very comfortable place to live.
Yamaguchi has approximately 1,500 km of coastline, including the calm Seto Inland Sea National Park dotted with many islands and the wild, rough coast of the Japan Sea at the Kita Nagato Kaigan National Park. There are around 240 islands scattered throughout the coastal and off-shore areas.
The green, mountainous plateau situated at the western edge of the Chugoku Mountain Range comprises the largest Karst plateau and limestone cave in Japan, which together make up the Akiyoshidai National Park. The prefecture receives many visitors who come to see the changing seasons in the primeval forests and beautiful gorges that make up the Western Chugoku Mountain Range National Park.

 

​Kintaikyo bridge in Yamaguchi

Centered around the Seto Inland Sea coastal area, there is a collection of various corporate groups, as well as research centers making efforts to improve skills and promote potential. Many industries such as chemicals, petroleum, metals, agriculture, fisheries, etc.
The strength of provincial petrochemical and shipbuilding industries have contributed to bring Yamaguchi prefecture to the 8^th place in Japanese economy. Currently, the province is creating new industry developing new enterprises, as well as planning the Technopolis and working to become a stronghold of advanced skills to attract new businesses.

The friendship cooperation with Binh Duong province:

The strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Japan is increasingly developed. The bilateral trade turnover and investment projects are increased in many areas. Japan become one of the top important partners of Viet Nam and also is one of the biggest investors of Viet Nam in general and in Binh Duong province in particular.

​MoU Signing ceremony between Yamaguchi prefecture and Binh Duong province in Japan (2014)

December 24^th, 2014, Yamaguchi prefecture and Binh Duong province  signed the Memorandum of understanding on enhancing the friendship cooperation between the two localities and have achieved considerable steps in order to research the possibility of Viet Nam – Japan Industrial Park construction; service and trade promotion; hi-agriculture investment, training and education and health for the mutual prosperity of the two sides.

Until April 2020, Japan is the biggest investor of Binh Duong province with 317 projects, 5.64 billion US dollars, ranked the first among 64 countries and territories investing in Binh Duong province.

1.      Kratie province (Cambodia)

• MOU signing date: The friendship cooperation between Binh Duong and Kratie province bases on the relation between Kratie province and Song Be province (the preceding administrative unit of of Binh Duong province)
• General information: Located in the East of Cambodia, area: 11,094 km², population: 320,000 people.
• Friendship cooperation activities:

+ 2015: signing MOU between Binh Duong Military Headquarter and Kandal Military on military cooperation.

+ June 2017: Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in working and meeting with Binh Duong officials, soldiers and people on the occasion of the 40^th  anniversary of Hun Sen leaving Cambodia to seek help from Viet Nam against the Pol Pot regime.

+ 2018 &2019: MOU signing on military cooperation among Binh Duong and Kratie districts.

• ​Investment projects: in the recent years, Binh Duong province has deployed various foreign economic with Kratie province and other Cambodian provinces; encourages and facilitates businesses to strengthen the trade, investment promotion and export to Cambodia. Phuoc Hoa Rubber Limited Company invested in planting 7,600 hectares rubber in Kratie and Kampongthon provinces.

2.     Daejeon Metropolitan City (South Korea)

• MOU signing date: May 17th, 2005
• General information: Daejeon Metropolitan City is the fifth biggest city of South Korea, has an area of 540 km^2, and 1.54 million citizens. Being a sciencentific and technological city, Daejeon Metropolitan is the home of the big universitites, museums, technopolis, institutes of South Korea, is recognized as the silicon valley of Asia.
• Friendship cooperation activities:

+ January 29^th, 2007: MOU signing on enhancing the friendship cooperation between Binh Duong province and Daejeon Metropolitan

+ 2015: Daejeon City high-ranking leadership delegation (led by the Mayor and Chairman of Daejeon City Council) paid a visit to Binh Duong province and co-organized the 10th Anniversary Program of signing friendship cooperation between two localities with a series of activities: Inaugurated the Binh Duong - Daejeon Cultural Exchange and Economic Exhibition, Daejeon City Tourism - Health Promotion Workshop, Daejeon Study Abroad, etc

+ November 2, 2015: Signing a cooperation agreement on strengthening friendship and cooperation and celebrating 10 years of signing the agreement between Binh Duong Province and the Daejeon Metropolitan (South Korea).

+ 2014 - 2019: exchanging high-level delegations to Binh Duong and South Korea; 11 delegations of students sent to exchange and experience culture in Binh Duong and Daejeon city.

+ 2018: Binh Duong Province, Daejeon City and the Secretariat of the World Technopolis Association WTA host the 11th Session of the World Technopolis Association (WTA) and activities. celebrated the 20th anniversary of WTA establishment in Binh Duong province. The mayor of Daejeon City is also the Chairman of the WTA and the delegation in coordination with Binh Duong to co-host the WTA series of events in Binh Duong province.

+ 3/2019: The delegation of Binh Duong province paid a working visit to Daejeon city. Within the framework of a business trip, Binh Duong province, TP. Daejeon, Becamex IDC Company and K-Water Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of modernizing water-related works and developing Smart City.

+ In October 2019, the Binh Duong Province Delegation led by the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Tran Thanh Liem, paid a working visit to and attended the WTA 2019 Conference in Daejeon City (South Korea) with the theme " Towards a Smart City from the Sustainable Context ". The forum provides an opportunity to explore diverse experiences and strategies for building a smart city. WTA 2019 conference in Daejeon city including Global Innovation Forum 2019; sessions: opening session, 03 plenary meetings, 04 thematic sessions, roundtables; 16th WTA Hi-tech Fair.

• Investments:

+ 2005: 164 projects, $655 million worth

• MOU signing date: 13 November 2006
• General information: Champasak Province has an area of 15,410 km² and close to 700,000 locals. It is the center of southern Laos's provinces. Champasak has a vital geographic position influencing its economy, the East - West corridor and traffic from Laos to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam.
• ​Friendship cooperation activities:

+ Thu Dau Mot University full scholarships are awarded annually to Laotian students, with 5 slots allocated each year from 2011 to 2015 and 10 from 2015 onwards. As of now, 84 students have been awarded the scholarship (79 from Champasak province and 5 from Sekong province).

+ 2011-now: 10 retired officials from Champasak are offered medical and recreational tours to Binh Duong every year. As of now, close to 100 former officials have travelled to Vietnam under this program.

+ 2016: A Binh Duong Province high-ranking delegation paid a working visit to Champasak to review the bilateral cooperation during the 2011-2015 period and meanwhile approved agreements regarding the 2016-2020 period.

+ 2017: A Laos high-ranking delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone paid a working visit to Binh Duong.

• Investments:

The Dau Tieng Viet Lao Rubber Joint Stock Company's main accomplishments include planting 6,722 hectares of rubber, establishing a ceramic factory and mass-producing rubber latex collection cups well-suited to the company's and customers' demands. In October 2017, it introduced a rubber processing system consisting of 2 rubber processing plants compliant to Malaysian standards, an $8.5 million worth pair of production lines capable of manufacturing 10,000 tons per year, a $500,000 worth modern water purification system dealing with 2,000m3 of water per day at most and a $2.5 million worth wastewater treatment system with a maximum daily workrate of 1,500m3. A $500,000 worth quality control lab utilizing modern technology has also been inaugurated.

MOU signing ceremony between Binh Duong province and Champasak Province (Laos)

4. City of Guangzhou (China)

• ​MOU signing date: 21 August 2013
• General information: The City of Guangzhou has an area of 7,434 km² and a population of 12.7 million. It is a crucial political, economic, cultural, scientific center in southern China and one of the leading Chinese cities in industry, commerce, service, logistics and maritime transport. It is in proximity to Macau and Hong Kong.
• Friendship cooperation activities:

+ 2/2014: A Guangzhou leadership and high-ranking delegation, led by Mr. Pan An, Deputy Secretary of the City of Guangzhou, participated in the Ceremony of Binh Duong New City Development Commencement and the Binh Duong Province Administrative Center Inauguration.

+ 2019: Binh Duong is expected to promote the cooperation with Guangzhou and more delegation exchanges are slated to take place.

• Investments:

+ 2013: 56 projects, $108.3 million worth

• ​MOU signing date: 16 October 2013
• ​General information: Emilia-Romagna Region is situated in northern Italy and has the city of Bologna serving as capital. It stretches through 22,124 km² of land with a population of approximately 4 million. It is one of the most prosperous region in Europe, being a major hub of mechanical engineering. Emilia-Romagna focuses on automated machinery supporting agriculture and industries such as automobile, shipbuilding, construction and fashion. It is also home to leading automobile brands, namely Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini and Maserati.
• ​Friendship cooperation activities: 

​Binh Duong Province has held investment promotion seminars in Emilia-Romagna in conjunction with other regions of Italy.

The Emilia-Romagna Chamber of Commerce in Binh Duong has actively supported partnerships between enterprises of the two sides.

+ 2018: The Binh Duong Province leadership delegation paid a working visit to Emilia-Romagna and an MOU re-signing is expected.

+ 2019: MOU re-signing undergoes preparations as the bilateral cooperation had been effective for 5 years.

• Investments:

+ 2013: 1 project, $3 million worth

 

• ​MOU signing date: 25 December 2014
• General information: Yamaguchi Prefecture is part of Shikoku Island, possesses an area of 6,110 km² and is populated by roughly 1.5 million people. It emphasizes development in industry, particularly supporting industry, automotive industry and various manufacturing disciplines. It also has a number of small and medium-sized enterprises, which facilitates the economy of Vietnam development mechanism and in the meantime the scheme of attracting Japanese investors set out by Binh Duong Province.
• Friendship cooperation activities:

+ 8/2015: Yamaguchi Prefecture and Binh Duong Province exchange leadership delegations with working visits.

+ 2016 and 2017: The Binh Duong Province leadership delegation visited Yamaguchi Prefecture and organized investment promotion seminars oriented towards Japanese investors.

+ 2018: The Yamaguchi Department of Foreign Affairs delegation paid a working visit to Binh Duong Province and participated in the 2018 Horasis Asia Meeting in Binh Duong. Plans for the 5th anniversary of the bilateral cooperation in 2019 were also sketched.

• Investments:

+ 2014: 273 projects, $4,820 million worth

• MOU signing date: 16 January 2015
• General information: Eindhoven is the largest city of North Brabant Province. It has an area of 88.84 km² and houses 750,000 inhabitants in its city region. Eindhoven ranks fifth among the largest cities of the Netherlands. It is well known as a smart city, a major technology center in Europe, meanwhile featuring various universities, research labs and large companies specializing in electronic appliances including Philips, Daf Trucks, etc.
• Friendship cooperation activities:

Binh Duong Province, the City of Eindhoven and the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City have jointly organized the Binh Duong Smart City Summit - Creating a Sustainable Future Together - (3/2016), Smart Cities - Triple Helix Seminar (12/2016) and Binh Duong Smart City Summit 2017 (11/2017), all with success.

Since 2015, 2 specialists appointed by the City of Eindhoven have been participating in the materialization of the Binh Duong Smart City plan with the Binh Duong Navigator 2021 strategic program. The work has been conducted since 2017, utilizing Eindhoven's Triple Helix model, with commendable results so far.

• ​Investments:

+ 2015: 10 projects, $140 million worth

+ 2019: 41 projects, $1,073 million worth (a 31-project and 933-million-USD increase from 2015)

MOU signing ceremony between Binh Duong province and City of Eindhoven (Netherlands)

8. East Flanders Province (Belgium)

• MOU signing date: 14 October 2015
• ​General information: East Flanders Province has an area of 2,982 km² and is inhabited by 1.5 million people. It is one of the 5 provinces establishing the Flanders Region, a key economic region of Belgium and also Europe, owing to its concentration of logistics centers and major Belgian sea ports, namely the Port of Antwerp, Europe's second largest sea port.
• ​Friendship cooperation activities:

+ 2018: The Wallonia Region Chamber of Commerce - Embassy of Belgium paid a working visit to Binh Duong Province as a preparation for a later Wallonia Region leadership delegation official visit to Binh Duong in 2019.

+ 4/2019: The Walloon Brabant Province leadership delegation paid a working visit to Binh Duong Province to strengthen cooperation between Binh Duong Province and Belgian partners.

• Investments:

+ 2015: 1 project, $1.5 million worth

• ​​MOU signing date: 17 November 2015
• General information: The municipality and town of Emmen, located in northeastern Netherlands, covers 346.25 km² of land and has a population of approx. 250,000. Its greater area, comprising the municipalities of Emmen, Coevorden, Hoogeveen and Hardenberg, is the strongest economic region in northeastern Netherlands in addition to sharing an international border with Germany. It is a hi-tech agriculture development region, an EU logistics hub and the largest industrial center in northern Netherlands.
• ​Friendship cooperation activities:

+ 4/2017: The Emmen City leadership delegation paid a visit to Binh Duong Province and worked with Binh Duong officials.

+ 3/2019: The Emmen City leadership delegation paid a visit to Binh Duong Province, emphasizing bilateral cooperation in economics and culture.

• Investments:

+ 2015: 10 projects, $140 million worth

+ 2019: 41 projects, $1,073 million worth (a 31-project and 933-million-USD increase from 2015)

MOU signing ceremony between Binh Duong province and Emmen City (Netherlands)

10. Oryol Oblast (Russia)​

• ​MOU signing date: 07 March 2017

• General information: Oryol Oblast is a federal subject of Russia, of which the city of Oryol, 360 km southwest of Moscow, serves as capital. It has an area of 24,652 km² and is home to 769,980 residents. Oryol Oblast is divided into 24 subdivisions, including 14 districts in addition to 7 cities and towns. Food processing, building materials, machinery (accounting for 30% of total Oryol Oblast productions) and light industries can be listed as its major industries. It also accommodates large companies specializing in engineering and electronics with modern technology and applied sciences in place.

• Friendship cooperation activities:

+ 2018: The Binh Duong Province leadership delegation paid an official visit to Oryol Oblast in an attempt to enhance cooperation between the two sides.

+ 3/2019: A Binh Duong Province leadership delegation visit to Oryol Oblast, including meetings with Oryol Oblast officials and Russian partners, is slated to promote trade with Oryol Oblast enterprises along with stakeholders from other regions.

Binh Duong Province and Oryol Oblast are executing feasibility studies for a provisional Vietnam - Russia Industrial Park in Binh Duong.

• Investments:

+ 2017 - 2019: 3 projects, $5.85 million 

* Provisional cooperation schemes

With a view to broaden friendship cooperation with foreign municipalities and stakeholders, thus diversifying international relations and attracting more investments, in the near future, Binh Duong Province is to materialize MOU signings with parties including Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region (Italy), North Brabant Province (Netherlands) and Incheon Metropolitan City (South Korea).

MOU signing ceremony between Binh Duong province and Oryol Oblast (Russia)