Vietnam, Switzerland outline priorities to deepen comprehensive partnership
VOV.VN - Vietnam and Switzerland will strengthen their Comprehensive Partnership, by identifying six priority areas for cooperation ranging from trade and investment to science and technology, environmental protection and security.
The priorities took centre stage at talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Hanoi on October 17, following an official welcoming ceremony for the Swiss leader and his spouse.
Welcoming Parmelin’s official visit, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s early establishment of diplomatic relations with Vietnam and its longstanding goodwill towards the Vietnamese people. He highlighted the visit as an opportunity to build on the Comprehensive Partnership established in January 2025 and give fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation.
President Parmelin, for his part, recalled his 2019 visit to Vietnam and expressed pleasure at witnessing the country’s dynamic development. He congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements and welcomed the progress made in bilateral relations.
Six priorities to expand bilateral cooperation
The two leaders agreed to strengthen political trust through high-level exchanges, closer contacts and mutual support at multilateral forums. They also identified trade and investment as key areas for further growth, with both sides looking to make fuller use of opportunities offered by the Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement and encourage more Swiss businesses to invest in Vietnam, particularly in port development.
President Parmelin highlighted the positive momentum in economic ties, noting that bilateral trade has grown by an average of 7% over the past four years, while investment has increased by 8% annually. More than 100 Swiss companies are operating in Vietnam, he noted, pointing to the potential complementarity between Switzerland’s technology and expertise and Vietnam’s rapid growth and young population.
Financial innovation also featured prominently in the discussions. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation among relevant agencies and financial institutions in digital finance, blockchain technology, digital assets and financial technology (fintech).
Science, technology and innovation were identified as another important pillar. Both countries will make greater use of existing cooperation mechanisms between their national science and technology development funds and strengthen academic links among universities and research institutes.
The other priority areas cover environmental protection, culture and tourism; security and defence, particularly peacekeeping and crime prevention; and people-to-people exchanges.
The leaders also exchanged views on international developments, including challenges arising from growing rivalry among major powers. They underscored the importance of dialogue and a balanced approach to international relations. President Parmelin praised Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy and its contribution to the country’s standing in the region and beyond.
Turning shared priorities into concrete outcomes
During the visit, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between ministries and agencies in labour, science and technology, trade, and urban development. They hoped that these arrangements would translate into tangible results for businesses and people in both countries.
President Parmelin also invited Vietnam to attend the Global AI Summit in Switzerland in 2027, opening up another opportunity to advance cooperation in artificial intelligence.
Both leaders expressed confidence that the visit would strengthen political trust, friendship and mutual understanding, creating fresh momentum for a deeper, more substantive, effective and sustainable Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Switzerland.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s official visit to Vietnam on October 17–18 comes as the two countries mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and build on their Comprehensive Partnership established in 2025. The visit is expected to give fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, innovation and sustainable development.
A key milestone is scheduled for October 18 in Hanoi, when Vietnam and the four EFTA member states – Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – are set to sign a free trade agreement following more than 14 years of negotiations. The deal is set to broaden market access, create new opportunities for businesses and strengthen economic ties between Vietnam and the four European countries.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin warmly welcomed in Hanoi on Vietnam visit
VOV.VN - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and his spouse hosted an official welcoming ceremony for Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse, Caroline Parmelin, at the National Assembly Building in Hanoi on October 17.
