Ho Chi Minh City, June 12 – The German Business Association (GBA) organized successfully “Meet the GBA Board Members” with an insightful, sector-focused networking breakfast held at Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City. The event brought together business leaders, industry experts, and GBA members to engage in meaningful discussions centered around two of Vietnam’s most essential and rapidly evolving sectors: Healthcare and Agriculture.
Designed as an intimate and solution-oriented format, this first session served as both a platform for peer sharing and a forum to identify shared challenges and opportunities across industries.
The morning featured keynote perspectives from three leading voices:
- Mr. Maximilian Rummert, Managing Director & CFO of Bayer Vietnam, addressed the role of strategic partnerships and innovation in building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. He emphasized that success in Vietnam’s agri-market depends on trusted local alliances, government engagement, and offering holistic, end-to-end solutions – particularly as the country transitions from subsistence farming to value-added production.
- Ms. Minh Nguyen, Country Lead at Allianz Partners, shared that Vietnam’s healthcare is shifting from a reactive, out-of-pocket model to a more integrated and preventive approach, where insurance acts as a platform for access — embedding digital tools, wellness incentives, and localized services to enable early, inclusive care. This transformation presents a unique opportunity for GBA members and cross-sector partners to co-create impactful solutions that bring quality healthcare beyond hospitals and into everyday lives.
- Ms. Betty Duong, CEO of German Dental Clinic, shared her leadership perspective on Vietnam’s healthcare transformation, emphasizing the need for agility, cultural understanding, and investment in education and training. She called on German companies and organizations like GBA to collaborate in advancing a modern and sustainable healthcare system that meets the growing expectations in both urban and rural areas.
Key Takeaways for Business Leaders
- Agriculture Needs Local Trust & Holistic Solutions: Vietnam’s agriculture sector is no longer about feeding the population alone. With increasing demand from retail chains and export markets, farmers must be supported to meet higher standards. German companies are well-positioned to contribute by providing technology, consulting, upskilling, and sustainable practices – but success will require deep integration into the local ecosystem.
- Healthcare is Moving Towards Prevention & Access: The sector is undergoing a major shift – from reactive care to preventive and personalized models. Digital insurance, health tech, and public-private partnerships can bridge the gap in rural areas, where access to quality care and financial protection remains limited.
- Leadership Agility is Essential: Across both sectors, the message is clear: Transformation requires leadership that is adaptive, collaborative, and grounded in trust. Vietnam’s dynamic business environment calls for organizations that can lead with both innovation and empathy.
- Sector Spotlight: Pharma and EU-GMP Certification: A standout opportunity was highlighted in the pharmaceutical sector. Vietnam now boasts a growing number of EU-GMP-certified facilities, paving the way for increased demand in cleanroom technologies, machinery, and consulting services—areas where German expertise is particularly strong. GBA is pleased to provide a platform for continued dialogue and collaboration in this area.
This inaugural “Meet the Board” session also marks a shift in GBA’s engagement strategy for 2025, from large-scale gatherings to focused, content-rich conversations. Members welcomed the more intimate, relevant, and action-oriented setup that encouraged genuine exchange.
We thank all participants, especially our speakers, for their thought-provoking contributions and commitment to cross-sector collaboration.
Stay tuned for future editions of Meet the GBA Board, as we continue to unlock insights and opportunities sector by sector.
