Vietnam, Poland to expand trade and investment under strategic partnership

The two countries’ economic potential took centre stage at a Vietnam-Poland business roundtable in Hanoi on October 26, held shortly after the bilateral relationship was upgraded.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung pointed to the foundation of political trust and more than 75 years of traditional friendship between the two countries. Economic, trade and investment cooperation, he noted, would continue to serve as a key pillar and driver of bilateral development.

As the global economy accelerates its green and digital transitions and supply chains undergo restructuring, the new partnership offers both sides’ businesses an opportunity to strengthen production links and connect more closely to regional and global value chains.

Hung outlined three priorities, including improving a transparent investment environment and addressing technical barriers; expanding cooperation in sectors where the two economies complement each other; and making better use of trade promotion mechanisms and business associations to resolve practical difficulties.

Vietnam seeks to turn strategic ties into business opportunities

Taking the floor, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung welcomed the roundtable as an opportunity to translate the relationship upgrade into tangible economic outcomes. Poland is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, with bilateral trade approaching US$4 billion in 2025, and reaching nearly US$3.5 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 19% year on year.

Building on Poland’s strengths in technology, pharmaceuticals, health care, defence and energy, alongside Vietnam’s dynamic market and network of 18 free trade agreements, the two countries could raise annual bilateral trade to US$6 billion, provided both sides turn their ambitions into coordinated action.

To achieve that goal, the Vietnamese Prime Minister called for higher-quality economic cooperation and closer links between businesses. He welcomed the participation of Polish companies and organisations in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, defence industries and space technology, alongside Vietnamese partners, describing the gathering as an opportunity to develop projects in emerging sectors with strong scientific and technological content and high added value.

“Vietnam is encouraging Polish businesses to explore and expand investment in the country, particularly in areas where Poland’s industrial strengths align with Vietnam’s sustainable development needs. These include renewable energy, smart agriculture, digital transformation, railways, shipbuilding and environmental industries, with technology transfer and sustainability forming important elements of cooperation,” he said.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister also urged the two sides to review and improve relevant policies, simplify investment, immigration and customs procedures, and make better use of regular dialogue forums. He welcomed the resumption of direct air services between the two countries by Poland’s national carrier, LOT, and proposed exploring broader transport links, including the possibility of rail connectivity between Asia and Europe, to reduce logistics costs.

Encouraging companies to pursue long-term partnerships, transfer green technologies and enable Vietnamese businesses to participate more deeply in global value chains, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting foreign investors. “When businesses prosper, the country prospers,” he said, pledging favourable conditions for Polish investors to operate in Vietnam on a stable and sustainable basis.

Poland eyes cooperation in pharmaceuticals, advanced technologies

For his part, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who was on an oficial visit to Vietnam, described Vietnam as one of Asia’s most dynamic economies and an important industrial centre. He outlined three areas with considerable potential for strategic cooperation, beginning with medical industries and pharmaceuticals. Poland would like to expand joint production ventures and technology transfer projects, strengthening domestic markets while opening up opportunities to export medicines to other countries in the region.

Turning to defence and advanced technologies, the Polish leader pointed to the strong trust between the two countries after more than seven decades of relations. He proposed closer cooperation in the production, training and supply of unmanned systems, electronics and optoelectronics for both security and civilian applications.

A further opportunity lies in joint research on Earth-observation satellites and data analysis, with potential applications in agriculture, resource management and environmental protection. The two sides could also work towards commercialising the resulting products in international markets.

“Poland is ready to be a wide-open gateway for Vietnamese businesses and goods to access the entire European Union market,” Prime Minister Tusk said. He also called on financial institutions and trade promotion bodies, including BGK and Team Europe, to work closely with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to provide businesses with stronger support, on the basis of equality, mutual respect and shared development.

The roundtable highlighted the scope for a new phase of investment and technology cooperation between Vietnam and Poland. With the Strategic Partnership providing a stronger framework for engagement, the next step will be to turn the opportunities identified by both governments into practical business links and lasting economic benefits.

Vietnam and Poland chart a new course in bilateral relations

VOV.VN - Vietnam and Poland are set to deepen bilateral cooperation following talks between their Prime Ministers in Hanoi on October 26, 2026, with both sides seeking to build on 76 years of diplomatic relations and unlock new opportunities in trade, investment, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.