Hanoi (VNA) – The outcomes of Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse’s official visit to Vietnam on October 17-18 have helped deepen the social foundations of bilateral relations while reaffirming the two countries' shared commitment to contributing to the international community's common affairs, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.
The Deputy FM said the visit took place at a particularly significant time, as bilateral relations are marked by three key milestones: the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Comprehensive Partnership established and implemented since January 2025, and the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member.
Switzerland was among the first Western European countries to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Over the years, Vietnam has valued Switzerland’s steadfast support and partnership, spanning development cooperation, education and research, as well as assistance to the Vietnamese people in times of natural disasters, storms, floods and pandemics.
Building on this solid foundation, the visit provided an opportunity for the two countries to set strategic directions for a new chapter in their Comprehensive Partnership, Hang underscored. Switzerland's strengths in research, innovation, finance and education and training can be more closely aligned with Vietnam's development needs and production capabilities.
Both countries have ample opportunities to jointly develop technologies, improve human resource quality and create new value, thereby carrying their friendship forward through cooperation in pursuit of long-term development goals, she said.
During the visit, President Parmelin held talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and met with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man. Leaders of both countries reaffirmed the importance they attach to bilateral friendship and cooperation, while recognising each other's role and standing in their respective regions and globally, as well as in multilateral mechanisms.
The strategic high-level talks between the Swiss President and General Secretary and President Lam outlined broad directions for developing the Comprehensive Partnership framework, including exchanges of delegations at all levels and more frequent high-level contacts and dialogue to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Both sides also pledged to ensure substantive progress in traditional areas such as politics-diplomacy and trade-investment, while expanding collaboration in science-technology, innovation, digital finance, international financial centres, high-quality human resource training and sustainable tourism. These efforts would contribute positively to the new development phase of both nations, the Deputy FM noted.
In economic, trade and investment cooperation, one of the major outcomes was the signing of the Vietnam-EFTA FTA. The agreement marks an important milestone in economic integration and, once it takes effect, will facilitate businesses' access to markets and expansion of operations in line with the agreed commitments.
For Vietnam, its long-term significance also lies in opportunities to connect with technology, knowledge and high-quality business networks, thereby enhancing competitiveness and enabling deeper participation in value chains. In turn, Vietnam offers prospects for cooperation with a dynamic market that has substantial production capacity and is becoming increasingly integrated into the regional and global economy.
The two sides also identified priority areas for cooperation more clearly in line with emerging development needs. Cooperation documents signed during the visit in areas such as labour, employment, science, technology and innovation will provide a solid foundation for closer links between investment, research and training, improving the quality of cooperation, increasing its technological content and developing human resources.
At the multilateral level, Vietnam and Switzerland sent to the international community a strong message of supporting sustainable development, multilateralism, free trade and a rules-based world order, amid growing global instability and mounting challenges to the multilateral trading system.
Regarding priorities for the coming period, the Deputy FM said the warm reception extended to President Parmelin demonstrated Vietnam's consistent implementation of its foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, and proactive international integration.
Expanding ties with trusted partners will help Vietnam diversify markets and access high-quality resources for national development, serving the interests of both peoples while enabling the country to contribute more actively to global issues.
During the talks, General Secretary and President Lam directed Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities to swiftly translate political trust between the two countries into effective coordination among their respective agencies and localities, and practical benefits for businesses. Each cooperation programme should have a designated focal point, adequate resources, a clear roadmap and tangible outcomes so that both sides could monitor progress and jointly advance implementation.
About economic-investment and financial cooperation, Vietnam should build on the signing of the Vietnam-EFTA FTA to promote areas where both sides have strengths and shared needs, particularly science-technology, innovation, digital finance, green finance, high-quality human resource training and infrastructure.
Vietnam and Switzerland are determined to work towards doubling bilateral trade, which exceeded 1 billion USD in 2025, and attracting greater Swiss investment flows into Vietnam.
In science-technology and innovation, the two countries should explore ways to link joint research programmes based on the “three-party cooperation” model involving the State, universities and businesses, thereby promoting technology transfer and commercialisation in fields such as biomedicine, green energy, the digital economy and agriculture.
This could be pursued through existing mechanisms connecting the two countries’ national science development funds, universities, research institutes and business communities.
Regarding high-quality human resources training and people-to-people exchanges, Vietnam should continue promoting training partnerships and exchanges of experts and researchers, making the most of Switzerland's world-leading education and research systems to develop a workforce capable of meeting the demands of the country's new development phase.
Hang expressed confidence that with the positive outcomes achieved during the visit and the continued efforts of ministries, sectors and localities, Vietnam and Switzerland will make the most of their respective strengths and opportunities for cooperation to foster stable and sustainable bilateral relations, serving the development of both countries and the interests of their people, while contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and around the world./.
VNA
See more
NA considers revised law to curb auction profiteering
To curb the activities of intermediaries who manipulate auctions and participants who have no genuine intention to buy, the draft stipulates that bidders who submit valid applications, pay the required deposits and attend an auction are deemed to have agreed to bid at least the starting price.
Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership deepens across multiple sectors after 15 years
As their Strategic Partnership enters its next phase, Vietnam and Germany have opportunities to deepen cooperation, expand investment and build stronger links between their people.
Vietnam shares development vision, promotes cooperation in Mexico
Vietnam regards improving people’s living standards and linking economic growth with social progress and equity as an overarching goal throughout its development process, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai at an international seminar organised by Mexico’s Labor Party (PT), which concluded on October 17 in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Law revisions seek to boost decentralisation, procedure simplification in asset auction
The draft revised Law on Asset Auction aims to institutionalise the Party’s guidelines on decentralisation and delegation of authority, cut and simplify administrative procedures, and promote the application of information technology and digital transformation in asset auction activities.
☀️ Morning digest on October 19
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
Top leader and spouse depart for Denmark, European Union and Belgium
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Hanoi on October 19 for a state visit to Denmark and official visits to the European Union and Belgium.
Vietnam, Denmark work together to build greener, more prosperous, sustainable future
Over the 55 years since diplomatic relations were established, Vietnam and Denmark have built a solid foundation of friendship, trust and increasingly close cooperation. Rooted in historical ties and the affection shared by the Royal Family and the two countries’ people, their relationship is entering a new chapter centred on the green transition, innovation and sustainable development.
Vietnam, Switzerland explore broader scope for cooperation
Given Vietnam’s dynamic and expanding economy and its need to diversify supply, distribution and trade channels, Switzerland offers promising opportunities for Vietnamese small and medium-sized exporters.
Vietnam, Switzerland seek to deepen parliamentary cooperation
National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man and Swiss President Guy Parmelin agreed to leverage parliamentary cooperation to promote the implementation of high-level agreements, linking exchanges of legislative experience with oversight of implementation.
Vietnam, Liechtenstein step up cooperation, tap opportunities from new agreements
Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with Liechtenstein and values the principality’s standing and strengths in science and technology, innovation, finance, technology and highly skilled human resources development, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.
Top leader receives Liechtenstein Prime Minister
Liechtenstein regards Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and wishes to further strengthen long-term cooperation in economy, trade and investment.
Lawmakers call for growth breakthrough in 2027, with results as key measure
National Assembly President Tran Thanh man called for an honest assessment of existing difficulties and shortcomings, urging deputies to contribute practical solutions to help fulfil the socio-economic development targets for 2026 and create a breakthrough in 2027.
Vietnam, Iceland boost economic, trade, investment ties
The foreign ministries of Vietnam and Iceland should maintain close coordination and play their role as focal agencies in further advancing bilateral cooperation.
Top leader’s visit to elevate Vietnam-Denmark relations in new era
The State visit to Denmark by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam is expected to provide fresh impetus for increasingly deep and effective Vietnam-Denmark relations, delivering tangible benefits to the people and businesses of both countries
Foreign Minister heads organising committee for CLMV 12, ACMECS 11
Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung has been named head of the organising committee for the 12th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation Summit (CLMV 12) and the 11th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 11).
Prime Minister hosts official welcome ceremony for Liechtenstein counterpart
PM Brigitte Haas's first official visit to Vietnam marks an important milestone, demonstrating Liechtenstein's high regard for Vietnam while providing fresh impetus for deeper, more substantive, and more effective bilateral relations.
Vietnam, Switzerland to turn education, sci-tech, innovation into cooperation focus
The two sides pledged to promote ties between innovation hubs, research institutes, universities, and enterprises, while stepping up collaboration in AI, quantum technology, green energy, the digital economy, higher education, and vocational training.
Top Vietnamese leader hosts banquet in honour of Swiss President
The General Secretary and President noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Vietnam and Switzerland have consistently nurtured their friendship, strengthened political trust and expanded cooperation across various fields for the benefit of their people.
Spouses of Vietnamese, Swiss leaders visit Hanoi University of Pharmacy
Hanoi University of Pharmacy holds special significance in bilateral relations as it is closely associated with Alexandre Yersin, a French scientist of Swiss origin born in 1863 in the canton of Vaud, the homeland of President Parmelin. Yersin was the first principal of the Indochina Medical College, the predecessor of today’s Hanoi University of Pharmacy and Hanoi Medical University. He also made important contributions to the development of medicine in Vietnam.
Liechtenstein Prime Minister arrives in Hanoi, starting official visit to Vietnam
The visit comes at a favourable time, following the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in July 2026. The agreement is expected to provide an important framework for further expanding Vietnam’s economic ties with Liechtenstein and other EFTA members, facilitating trade, investment and business connections.