Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man emphasised that over 50 years of diplomatic relations have built a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect. However, current economic engagement has yet to match the scale and strengths of both economies.

Italian investment in Vietnam currently totals approximately US$633 million across 167 projects, a modest figure compared to Vietnam’s cumulative foreign direct investment inflows of around US$530 billion, placing it among the world’s top 15 FDI destinations. This gap highlights substantial room for growth in bilateral investment ties.

Vietnam’s economic rise further reinforces this outlook. With a GDP estimated at US$514 billion, ranking 32nd globally, and total trade volume reaching US$930 billion (2025 statistics), the country is among the most open economies in the world. Its participation in 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) with over 60 partners, including with the European Union (the EVFTA), provides a robust framework for Italian businesses to expand their presence and integrate into regional supply chains.

On the other side, Italy, particularly the Lombardy region, offers strong industrial and technological capabilities. With a GDP exceeding US$500 billion and exports totaling around €167 billion, Lombardy alone rivals many national economies. This creates a clear complementary dynamic that Vietnam offers market scale, workforce and growth momentum, while Italy contributes advanced manufacturing, innovation and high-value expertise.

Early signs of deepening connectivity are already visible. The direct Milan–Hanoi route has carried over 30,000 passengers within a short period, achieving a load factor exceeding 95%. This strong performance signals rising demand for trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, suggesting that bilateral cooperation could accelerate rapidly with the right frameworks in place.

Against this backdrop, Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man called on both sides to translate potential into tangible outcomes, with a focus on several key priority directions. He stressed the need to further improve institutional and legal frameworks to facilitate trade and investment flows, particularly as the EVFTA continues to be effectively implemented.

At the same time, he highlighted the importance of promoting collaboration in sectors where Italy has strong expertise and Vietnam has growing demand, including manufacturing, high technology, green transition, renewable energy, infrastructure, supporting industries and food processing.

Strengthening business connectivity between the two countries was also identified as a critical driver, especially in enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to integrate more deeply into global value chains, while expanding cooperation in innovation and digital transformation.

In addition, he underscored the role of the two parliaments in overseeing and refining legal frameworks and policies, thereby ensuring a stable, transparent and conducive environment for long-term cooperation.

From the Italian side, Veronica Squinzi, Vice President for Internationalisation and Europe at Assolombarda (Confindustria Lombardia system), highlighted Vietnam as a stable and fast-growing partner with strong reform momentum.

Amid global economic uncertainty, rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing restructuring of global value chains, she said, cooperation among trusted partners has become more essential than ever. Strengthening ties between Vietnam and Italy will help drive innovation while supporting sustainable and inclusive growth.

As Italy’s leading economic region, Lombardy serves as the heart of the country’s industrial and technological system. Its capital, Milan, stands as Italy’s premier financial and business hub and a key gateway to the European market for international enterprises and investors. Lombardy is also Italy’s top region in terms of trade relations with Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Lombardy Region, noted that the relationship between Lombardy and Vietnam goes beyond a conventional trade partnership, reflecting a long-standing connection with strategic significance. Since 2003, Lombardy has identified Vietnam as a priority partner in ASEAN.

He said the launch of the direct flight route between Milan and Hanoi stands as a clear testament to the success of this cooperation. Beyond boosting tourism, the route serves as a vital bridge for trade, cultural exchange and connectivity, effectively narrowing the geographical distance between the two sides.

With strong technological capabilities and advanced expertise, Lombardy sees significant growth opportunities in Vietnam, a fast-growing economy that recorded GDP growth of over 8% in 2025. Businesses from Lombardy are ready to support Vietnamese partners through the transfer of high-level expertise and technology, particularly in mechanical manufacturing, while also advancing cooperation in green transition, renewable and circular economy models, education and workforce training, as well as the preservation and restoration of architectural and cultural heritage.

As Vietnam continues to streamline its administrative system and improve governance efficiency, Lombardy has shown strong interest in establishing formal partnerships with selected Vietnamese localities. Cattaneo expressed confidence that the visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man would further strengthen Italy-Vietnam relations, delivering tangible benefits for businesses and people of both countries.

As global supply chains continue to restructure and the transitions toward green and digital economies accelerate, the alignment between Vietnam’s high-growth trajectory and Italy’s industrial strength is becoming increasingly evident. With a solid political foundation and expanding economic linkages, the Vietnam–Italy partnership is well positioned to move beyond potential and deliver concrete, high-impact outcomes in the years ahead.

NA Chairman arrives in Rome for official visit to Italy

VOV.VN - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, arrived at Ciampino Airport in Rome on April 11 (local time) to begin an official visit to Italy from April 11 to 15.