Hungarian Water Partnership at GEFE Vietnam: Building Green Partnerships and Water Cooperation

The Hungarian Water Partnership (HWP), in cooperation with the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA), participated with a joint Hungarian stand at GEFE in Vietnam from 21-23 October.

The event brought together government representatives, businesses, educational institutions, professional organisations and other stakeholders committed to sustainable development and the transition toward a greener economy.

For HWP, the event provided an important platform to present Hungarian water-sector expertise, innovative technologies and international cooperation opportunities to Vietnamese partners.

Hungarian innovation at the GEFE pavilion

The Hungarian pavilion showcased a range of innovative Hungarian products and services, including solutions in:

water and wastewater management,
railway development,
bridge construction, and
sustainable infrastructure.

Among the senior visitors to the pavilion was Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who had the opportunity to learn more about Hungarian solutions addressing some of the key infrastructure and sustainability challenges of the 21st century. HWP used the event to highlight the capabilities of the Hungarian water sector and to strengthen relationships with existing Vietnamese partners. Among HWP’s key partners represented at the event were Nguyen Ngoc Diep, President of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA), and representatives of SAWACO - Saigon Water Corporation.

Vietnam as a strategic market for Hungarian water expertise

Vietnam has long been an important partner for Hungarian water-sector cooperation.

The country represents a significant market for European investment, while Europe remains an important destination for Vietnamese exports. Against this background, GEFE provided a valuable meeting point for European innovation and Vietnamese demand for sustainable development solutions. The event’s focus on “Building Green Future” strongly reflected HWP’s own priorities: supporting sustainable infrastructure, promoting practical environmental technologies and building long-term international partnerships.

Hungarian references recognised at the plenary session

Hungary’s active presence in Vietnam was also acknowledged during the opening-day plenary session.

Hungarian water-sector cooperation was highlighted as a positive example through references to projects in Quang Binh Province and to a PuraWell drinking water treatment unit donated to a kindergarten. These examples demonstrate how Hungarian water technologies can be applied in practice and adapted to local needs. For HWP, such references are especially important because they show how professional cooperation can develop from technology presentation into concrete implementation and long-term market presence.

Connecting business, government and knowledge institutions

GEFE placed strong emphasis on both B2B and B2G cooperation, bringing together companies and government stakeholders to discuss practical pathways toward sustainable development.

For HWP, this type of environment is particularly valuable. International water projects typically require cooperation between multiple actors, including technology providers, utilities, public authorities, financing institutions, universities and local partners. By participating in events such as GEFE, HWP helps its member companies connect with these stakeholders and supports the development of relationships that can lead to future projects, technology transfer and market opportunities.

Cooperation with the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City

A significant outcome of HWP’s participation was the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City.

The agreement was signed on behalf of HWP by Róbert Forintos, Co-President of the Hungarian Water Partnership, together with Prof. Dam Sao Mai, Vice Rector of the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City. The cooperation reflects a shared commitment to professional development, knowledge transfer and the education of the next generation of water and environmental specialists.

For HWP, collaboration with universities and research institutions is an important part of building long-term international partnerships. The transition toward sustainable water management will depend not only on technology, but also on the knowledge, skills and professional capacity of future generations.

Strengthening Hungarian-Vietnamese water cooperation

HWP’s participation at GEFE formed part of a broader and long-standing Hungarian-Vietnamese water-sector partnership.

Through cooperation with organisations such as VWSA, SAWACO, universities, government stakeholders and local companies, HWP continues to strengthen the position of Hungarian water expertise in Vietnam.

The event demonstrated the value of combining:

technology promotion,
professional diplomacy,
academic cooperation,
B2B networking, and
institutional partnerships.

For the Hungarian Water Partnership, these elements are closely connected.

By bringing together Hungarian companies, Vietnamese partners and professional institutions, HWP aims to create a strong foundation for future projects and long-term cooperation in sustainable water and wastewater management.