Tim Cook meets with Vietnamese officials and app developers

Apple CEO Tim Cook has spent a second day in Vietnam, discussing investment with the country's prime minister, as well as being shown developers working on Apple Vision Pro apps.

On the second of his two-day visit to Hanoi, Tim Cook once again met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. They discussed Apple increasing its investment in the country, and the government creating a working group to help with the company's expansion efforts.

"There is no place like Vietnam, a vibrant and beautiful country," said Tim Cook in an announcement on Apple's Vietnamese site. "I am extremely excited to come here to connect with students, creators and customers, understand more about the diversity in the way they use our products to do extraordinary things."

"At Apple, we always strive to build deep connections and bring more benefits to the people where we operate," he continued. "From cooperating with local suppliers, to supporting clean water supply projects and educational opportunities, we are committed to continuing to strengthen connections in Vietnam."

Apple says that it has already more than doubled its annual spending in the country since 2019, meaning it has spent nearly 400 trillion VND ($16 billion) in the local supply chain. It is also currently directly supporting over 200,000 jobs in the region.

Cook has not posted any images of his meeting with the Prime Minister, but he has been documenting his tour of Hanoi.

Developers CollaNote & ELSA Speak walked me through how they use Apple products to help customers boost productivity and learn. Bootloader Studio shared the new app they're working on for Vision Pro. All three are fantastic examples of Vietnam's fast growing developer community! pic.twitter.com/YjOxyB6qTJ
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 15, 2024

Alongside developers, Cook met with more musicians, artists and dancers. "It was incredible to see the energetic Vietnamese hip-hop culture!" he wrote.

Thanks to the very talented VietMax for showing me how iPhone and iPad fit into his dance and street art workflows, and to rapper Suboi for sharing her newest song in Spatial Audio! It was incredible to see the energetic Vietnamese hip-hop culture! pic.twitter.com/OrckdJSZV3
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 15, 2024

For what may have been his final stop in the country, Cook visited Hanoi Star School. Although it has not been reported whether any other Apple executives have accompanied Cook, one of the images from the school shows Lisa Jackson, Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

Hanoi Star School is a shining example how educators are incorporating iPad into the classroom in meaningful ways. Thank you Principal Nhan, educators, students & Giang Oi for letting me join your environment lesson where we learned ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle. pic.twitter.com/Qpe5LHZmtA
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 16, 2024

As ever, Apple has not released Cook's schedule in advance, but it is known that his visit to Vietnam is intended to last two days.

Vietnam has become increasingly important to Apple as it works to escape its previous over-reliance on China for manufacturing. Most recently, Apple has also moved some iPad development work to the country.