In his opening online speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung of Vietnam noted that with a population of over 680 million people and a total GDP surpassing US$4 trillion, ASEAN is the fifth-largest economy in the world. It is emerging as a bright spot for integration, growth, and regional stability, and plays a key role in shaping the economic and security structure of the Indo-Pacific region.

The official designation of Italy as an ASEAN Development Partner is seen as a strategic step, opening up broader cooperation opportunities between Europe and Southeast Asia.

As an active, dynamic, and responsible member of ASEAN, he emphasised, Vietnam is always alongside the region on the path of integration and sustainable development. He revealed that Vietnam is currently the largest trading partner of Italy in ASEAN and a strategic destination for European investors.

Vietnam is implementing its National Development Strategy for the 2021–2030 period, with three strategic breakthroughs. These are completing a modern, transparent, and integrated market economy institution; developing high-quality human resources linked with science, technology, and innovation; and building synchronised and smart infrastructure to lay the foundation for a dynamic and sustainable economy.

The implementation of these three strategic breakthroughs not only strengthens Vietnam’s internal development capacity but also expands the space for cooperation between ASEAN and Italy, he stressed.

Taking the floor, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc highlighted the city's strengths in green economic development, renewable energy with a goal of Net Zero by 2050, smart infrastructure, sustainable logistics, education, and international human resource training. He affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City is positioned to be a strategic link in enhancing cooperation and exchanges between Italy and ASEAN, particularly as Italy strengthens its ties with the region.

During the discussions, the participants agreed on four key strategic cooperation directions to promote sustainable and innovative development. These are the net zero roadmap, smart manufacturing 4.0-5.0, next-generation infrastructure, and innovation and digital transformation.

Lorenzo Tavazzi, member of the Board of Directors of The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA), emphasised that this event marks a strong shift in cooperation, moving from traditional trade models to high-value collaboration based on advanced technology and creative knowledge. Italy and ASEAN are focused on building green value chains, developing R&D centers, promoting high-tech startups, and forming smart, green logistics corridors to improve efficiency and sustainability in supply chains.

The dialogue also called on businesses, investors, international organisations, and scholars from both sides to join efforts in building a peaceful, creative, prosperous, and sustainable future for ASEAN, Vietnam, and Italy.

Italy is currently Vietnam’s third-largest trade partner in the EU, with bilateral trade reaching US$4.3 billion in the first seven months of 2025, a 5.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Italy has 162 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over US$624 million, while Vietnam has 11 projects in Italy with a total investment of nearly US$700,000.

Recent highlights of Vietnam-Italy and ASEAN cooperation include a 38% increase in bilateral trade, hitting nearly US$20 billion; direct Italian investment in ASEAN surpassing EUR7.7 billion; and expanding cooperation in high-tech industries, renewable energy, logistics, education, and innovation.

The event was co-organised by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the European House-Ambrosetti (TEHA), the ASEAN-Italy Association, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Becamex Corporation.

Da Nang hosts first “Italy Days,” opening new channels for cooperation

VOV.VN - The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM), in coordination with Prometeo Group, opened the “Italy Days in Da Nang 2025” event series on November 6 at APEC Park in central Da Nang City, with the prominent “Italian Expo” event featuring products from Italy.