Vietnam’s Rise as a Global Manufacturing Hub: Pistis Group Brings TGL Australia to UEL Students

Pistis Group partnered with the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Economics and Law (UEL, Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City) to host an industry exchange titled “Vietnam’s Rise as a Global Manufacturing Hub”. The guest speaker was Andrew Callaway, Business Development Executive at Think Global Logistics (TGL) Australia.

The session gave students a clearer picture of why Vietnam has become a key link in global supply chains, and of the career paths opening up as a result. In a familiar lecture hall, ports, containers and cross-border supply chains stopped being textbook theory. They became first-hand experience from a logistics business that moves international freight every day.

Bridging international business and the classroom

Pistis Group is an Australia–Vietnam enterprise with offices in Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City, working across construction, building materials, modular housing, real estate and strategic trade partnerships. Working between the two markets every day, we know that the next generation of professionals needs early exposure to how international businesses operate.

That is why Pistis Group connected its partner TGL Australia with UEL’s Faculty of Business Administration. The aim was to bring practical insight from international logistics into the lecture hall, and to open a two-way conversation between industry and students.

Built for Trust. Bridging Opportunities.

This is the principle Pistis Group has followed since it was founded: build trust and connect opportunities, between businesses and between business and the next generation.

Why is Vietnam becoming a global manufacturing hub?

The theme of the session reflects a trend the numbers already show. Foreign investment in manufacturing is rising fast, and with it the demand for logistics, warehousing and international transport.

US$27.62bn

FDI disbursed in Vietnam in 2025, up 9% and the highest in five years

~83%

Share of disbursed FDI that went into manufacturing and processing (Jan–Oct 2025)

US$16.2bn

Australia–Vietnam two-way trade in 2025, against a US$20bn target

~95%

Goods traded between the two countries that receive preferential tariffs under CPTPP, RCEP and AANZFTA

Sources: The Investor, Việt Nam News, East Asia Forum, Tuổi Trẻ News (listed at the end).

Vietnam’s economy grew 8.02% in 2025. Australia and Vietnam upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024. Behind these figures sit infrastructure, trade agreements and a supply chain that has to run smoothly. Those were the themes the TGL Australia speaker explored with students.

A view from Australian logistics

The full title of the talk was “Vietnam’s Rise as a Global Manufacturing Hub: Infrastructure, Trade and Supply Chain Opportunities”. It looked at Vietnam’s growth through three lenses: infrastructure, trade and the opportunities within supply chains.

The talk moved through six parts, from a personal story to the big picture and back to practical career advice:

1. An industry journey. From logistics analytics at The Home Depot in the United States to freight forwarding and supply chain consulting in Australia, Andrew shared the opportunities logistics had opened up for him.
2. Vietnam’s manufacturing transformation. Vietnam plays a growing role in global supply chains, supported by competitive manufacturing, foreign investment and companies diversifying their sourcing away from other markets.
3. Infrastructure as an economic engine. Ports, highways, industrial parks, airports and logistics networks improve connectivity, lower trade costs and attract investment.
4. Free trade agreements and market access. CPTPP, RCEP and the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand FTA create opportunities, along with rules of origin and compliance requirements that businesses need to understand.
5. Australia–Vietnam trade opportunities. Vietnam exports textiles, footwear, furniture, electronics and agricultural products to Australia. Australia exports minerals, agricultural commodities, education and energy-related products to Vietnam.
6. Practical lessons and career opportunities. Andrew shared lessons on procurement, freight forwarding, customs compliance and supply chain resilience, and closed with how students can build careers in international trade.

Thinking together, not just listening

The session was interactive. Students were encouraged to step into the shoes of customers and businesses: what they say, think, feel and do. From there, they practised identifying the real problem and the value a business needs to create.

In the Q&A, students spoke directly with someone working in the industry about the topics covered, an opportunity to learn beyond the textbook.

Continuing to connect Australia and Vietnam

Pistis Group thanks the leadership and lecturers of the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Economics and Law for co-hosting the session. We also thank Andrew Callaway and TGL Australia for their insights, and every student who took part.

This exchange is the first in a series of industry and university activities Pistis Group will continue to run, bringing more international perspectives to students in Vietnam.