Tim Cook visits Vietnam as Apple looks to boost supply chain relationships

Tim Cook (left) with musicians My Linh and My Anh in Hanoi

Apple CEO Tim Cook is in Hanoi, Vietnam for a two-day trip in which he is due to meet suppliers, app developers and students.

Vietnam is one of the countries, along with India, that are benefitting from Apple's moves to reduce its over-reliance on China. As well as increasing manufacturing for AirPods and Apple Vision Pro, Apple has also moved some iPad development work there.

According to local publication VNExpress, Cook arrived in Hanoi on Monday, April 15, 2024, for a two-day trip. Cook told local media that he was excited to meet customers, students, and app developers in the country.

Apple reportedly also unveiled plans to strengthen its commitments to Vietnam. Few details have been released yet, but it will involve Apple increasing spending on suppliers, and also funding a clean water initiative for schools.

Cook himself has been posting about his visit on social media, starting with his breakfast meeting with musicians My Linh and My Anh.

Xin cho, Vietnam! Thank you to the very talented musicians My Linh and My Anh for such a warm welcome. And I loved the egg coffee! pic.twitter.com/vBGwatuXG1
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 15, 2024

He then visited Hoan Kiem Lake, talking with filmmaker Duy about Cinematic Mode on iPhone 15 Pro.

Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is as beautiful as it is iconic! It was amazing to spend time with Duy and see his creative process using Cinematic mode on iPhone 15 Pro. pic.twitter.com/5INkRcew1r
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 15, 2024

Cook has since moved on to the artistic workshop, Nirvana Space.

Phuong Vu and his team are wildly creative. They showed me how they use iPhone, iPad, and Mac to bring everything and anything from their imagination to life in Nirvana Space - an artistic workshop like no other! pic.twitter.com/jpsjLsnv6O
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 15, 2024

It's not known whether any other Apple executives are travelling with Cook. However, over the weekend Greg Joswiak posted online about sending the "I Remember You" exhibition to Seoul.

While Apple has been successfully expanding manufacturing in Vietnam, with suppliers building new facilities there, it has not been without problems. In June 2023, local authorities asked Apple suppliers including Foxconn to reduce their electricity use as power cuts loomed.