Francesco Guaracio
HANOI (Reuters) – A large delegation of U.S. companies including Meta Corp., Boeing Co. and wind energy company GE Vernova Co. will visit Vietnam this week, as the Southeast Asian nation continues to improve ties after Washington improved ties last year. This shows continued corporate interest in the country. About 50 companies are expected to participate, according to the organizer, the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, which sent a similar-sized business delegation to Vietnam last year.
Also participating are conglomerate Koch Industries, safety standards company UL Solutions, insurance group Chubb, gaming company Roblox, weather forecast provider ATMO and energy company AES.
Many of these companies are already operating in Vietnam.
Meta's Facebook has more than 60 million users in the country, making it one of the world's largest markets.
Last year, Boeing signed a preliminary agreement with national carrier Vietnam Airlines to sell 50 of its 737s.
US President Joe Biden last year improved relations with Vietnam, pushing for greater cooperation in the semiconductor industry. But organizers said semiconductor companies were not expected to participate in this week's economic delegation.
The business mission will hold meetings with local authorities from Tuesday to Thursday. Organizers said a small delegation of security companies will discuss potential business opportunities with representatives of Vietnam's Ministry of Defense and police on Monday.
(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
