Welcoming the Slovak leader, Prime Minister Hung expressed pleasure at receiving his first foreign guest in his capacity as head of government, amid the positive development of the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Slovakia.

After receiving flowers from children in Hanoi, the two leaders walked along the red carpet to the ceremonial platform under waving national flags. The national anthems of Slovakia and Vietnam were played, followed by a flag salute and a review of the guard of honour of the Vietnam People’s Army.

Following the ceremony, the two Prime Ministers proceeded to the Government Headquarters, where they viewed an exhibition on the countries, people, and bilateral relations before holding official talks.

During the talks, Hung reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to strengthening ties with Slovakia, which he described as one of Vietnam’s priority partners in Central and Eastern Europe. He hoped that bilateral relations would continue to deepen in a substantive and effective manner.

He proposed that both sides engage in frank and substantive discussions on regional and global developments, while hammering out measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation and concretise the newly established strategic partnership.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen coordination in addressing regional and global challenges, contributing to sustainable development, peace, stability, and cooperation.

For his part, Fico recalled that Slovakia was among the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam and has maintained broad cooperation across economic, political, cultural, and educational fields.

He noted Slovakia’s intention to elevate bilateral relations from quantitative expansion to qualitative development, marking a new stage through the establishment of a strategic partnership.

After 76 years of diplomatic ties, Vietnam–Slovakia relations continue to develop positively. Economic and trade cooperation has maintained steady growth. As of December 2025, Slovakia had 16 valid investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$140.87 million.

Cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, culture, tourism, and labour has also been sustained and expanded. Slovak citizens are granted visa-free entry to Vietnam from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028.

The Vietnamese community in Slovakia, numbering around 10,000 people, has been recognised as the country’s 14th ethnic minority group, serving as an important bridge for bilateral relations.

The official visit by the Slovak Prime Minister is expected to further strengthen political trust, promote substantive cooperation, and open up new directions for the development of Vietnam–Slovakia relations in the coming period.

People-to-people ties underpin Vietnam-Slovakia relations

VOV.VN - A gathering was held on April 12 in Hanoi between a delegation of the Government of Slovakia and Vietnamese people who hold affection for the country and people of Slovakia, on the occasion of the official visit to Vietnam by the Slovak Prime Minister and his delegation.