Vietnam, Slovakia elevate ties to strategic partnership
Vietnam and Slovakia have issued a Joint Statement on elevating their ties to a strategic partnership.
The Joint Statement was issued following the summit meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Ha Noi on Monday morning.
The two Prime Ministers agreed to task the two Foreign Ministries to promptly develop a plan of action to implement the newly-established strategic partnership framework in a bid to create substantial changes in the quality of bilateral cooperation.
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| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico walk from the Presidential Palace to the Government Headquarters for summit meeting following the official welcome ceremony, Ha Noi, April 13, 2026. Photo: VGP |
On the occasion, the two countries signed 16 cooperation agreements across the fields of politics-diplomacy, national defense, culture, nuclear energy, standards and metrology, local-level cooperation, security, healthcare, tourism, and shipbuilding, according to VGP.
These agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Slovak Ministry of Defense on cooperation in the defence industry; a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs; and a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation for the 2026–2030 period between the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Slovak Ministry of Culture.
Vietnam–Italy ties set for breakthrough as untapped potential comes into focus
As the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy enters a more substantive phase, a policy dialogue held in Milan on April 13 has underscored a key message that bilateral cooperation remains far below its full potential and is poised for significant expansion.
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, according to VOV.
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| Vietnam's National Asssembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks during the policy dialogue on enhancing Vietnam - Italy cooperation on April 13. |
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.
Guangxi eyes boundless cooperation with Vietnam
Cooperation between China’s Guangxi and Vietnam holds vast potential with virtually no limits in scope, Wei Tao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has said.
In recent years, under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two Parties and countries, Guangxi has stepped up exchanges and practical cooperation with Vietnamese ministries, provinces and cities, particularly in infrastructure connectivity, trade and investment, he told Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Beijing, noting that Guangxi is the only Chinese locality bordering Vietnam both on land and at sea.
Vietnam has remained Guangxi’s largest trading partner for 27 consecutive years. In 2025, bilateral trade exceeded 300 billion CNY (43.4 billion USD) for the first time, ranking third among China’s provincial-level localities.
Wei highlighted the geographical proximity, long-standing ties, and cultural similarities between Guangxi and Vietnam as key drivers of expanded cooperation. Guangxi will continue to pursue good-neighbourly diplomacy, focus on major orientations in China – Vietnam relations, and enhance connectivity in infrastructure, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
He added that the region will promote cooperation at all levels and across sectors, building a China – Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
On Guangxi’s development, Wei said the region is entering a highly favourable period. Strategically located near China’s southwest, the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Guangxi serves as a key bridge linking the Chinese market of 1.4 billion people with the bloc’s 700 million population.
The region benefits from supportive central policies, abundant natural resources and a solid industrial base, with many agricultural and industrial products among China’s largest, VNA reported.
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| Wei Tao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, talks to Vietnam News Agency correspondent. (Photo: VNA) |
Guangxi also enjoys strong ecological advantages, maintaining a high proportion of days with good air quality and ranking among the country’s leaders in water quality. Its economy grew by 5.1% in 2025, exceeding expectations and outpacing the national average.
Following his state visit to Vietnam in December 2023, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping visited Guangxi, calling for greater opening-up and stronger contributions to China – ASEAN cooperation, Wei said.
He also praised Vietnam’s economic performance, noting that despite challenges such as natural disasters, the country posted GDP growth of 8.02% in 2025, among the fastest in Asia.
Expressing confidence in Vietnam’s development goals, Wei said the country’s vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 and a high-income developed nation by 2045 is highly encouraging. He voiced his satisfaction with Vietnam’s achievements and expressed optimism about the future of bilateral cooperation.
Türkiye seen as promising market for Vietnam’s Halal products
With a large Muslim population, Türkiye serves as both a major consumer market and a well-developed processing hub for such products. Meanwhile, Vietnam is gradually establishing its capacity to supply Halal goods, particularly in processed foods, agricultural produce, beverages, tourism services and logistics.Among areas of cooperation, the Halal sector remains relatively new but holds considerable potential, as Vietnam and Türkiye possess complementary strengths and demands, while also attracting significant attention from both governments.
With a large Muslim population, Türkiye serves as both a major consumer market and a well-developed processing hub for such products. Meanwhile, Vietnam is gradually establishing its capacity to supply Halal goods, particularly in processed foods, agricultural produce, beverages, tourism services and logistics, cited VNA.
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| Booths of Vietnamese cooperatives and enterprises at the Halal Expo 2025 exhibition in Türkiye. (Photo: VNA) |
According to Yunus Ete, Chairman of the World Halal Summit Council, demand for this type of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and tourism has been growing rapidly. In recent years, Vietnam and Türkiye have made notable progress in strengthening cooperation in the Halal sector. Owing to its strategic position bridging Asia and Europe, the latter is not only a strong trading partner but also a gateway to broader markets.
Amid surging global demand, Vietnam is placing increasing emphasis on developing a Halal ecosystem, identifying it as a strategic direction that opens up new export opportunities while enhancing the country’s position in global value chains. The Government has introduced various programmes to support businesses in improving production capacity, quality standards and certification, while actively coordinating with international organizations to facilitate access for local goods to the global Muslim market. In this context, Türkiye is seen as a particularly promising destination for Vietnam’s Halal exports.
Türkiye is among Vietnam’s leading trade partners in the Middle East and serves as a gateway for Vietnamese exports to the wider Middle Eastern and Southern European markets. Bilateral trade reached nearly 2.3 billion USD in 2025, with Vietnam’s exports accounting for over 1.8 billion USD.
As key trading partners in their respective regions, both economies are highly complementary and act as important gateways linking various regions and multilateral organizations of which they are members. Both Vietnam and Türkiye attach importance to their friendship and the significant potential for further cooperation.
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