At the meeting, Ambassador Pham Thi Thu Huong said Vietnam hopes to soon sign a memorandum of understanding on labour cooperation to provide a framework for bilateral cooperation, facilitate procedures and ensure the rights of workers in line with the laws of both sides.

She also shared information on Vietnam’s broader international labour cooperation, including with Europe and Greece.

According to statistics, nearly 1,500 Vietnamese workers currently hold valid work permits in Greece, including both seasonal and long-term workers. Greek employers have assessed Vietnamese workers as diligent, capable and adaptable.

This was also noted at a workshop on Vietnam-Greece labour cooperation held in Athens in December 2025, jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and Greek partners. The participation of 130 Greek delegates representing recruitment companies, industry associations and employers showed Greece’s interest in Vietnamese workers.

For his part, Minister Athanasios Plevris welcomed Ambassador Pham Thi Thu Huong and said Greece aims to ramp up labour cooperation and sign agreements with partner countries, including Vietnam, to enable the lawful employment of foreign workers and meet labour demand for economic growth.

He said Vietnamese workers are regarded as capable, hardworking and unlikely to give rise to complex issues. Experts from both sides are expected to resume negotiations and exchange detailed proposals in line with each country’s legal framework, with a view to agreeing on a draft memorandum for signing.

According to local sources, Greece needs around 100,000 foreign workers each year. Countries with large numbers of workers in Greece include Romania, Albania, Ukraine, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Among these, Greece has signed memoranda with Bangladesh and Egypt and is negotiating with several countries, including Vietnam.

Homeland Spring programme strengthens Vietnam–Greece community solidarity, friends

The “Homeland Spring” 2026 programme has been held for the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in Greece on the occasion of Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year.