Vietnam, China demonstrate high-level political trust: spokesperson
Vietnam and China have demonstrated a high level of political trust and shared a strong desire to elevate bilateral ties, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on April 23.
Hang made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions on the major outcomes of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to China, at the ministry’s regular press briefing, reported VNA.
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| Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang speaks at the ministry’s regular press briefing on April 23 (Photo: VNA) |
According to the spokesperson, the April 14–17 visit was the top leader’s first overseas trip since the consolidation of Vietnam’s leadership positions. Both sides regarded it as the most important diplomatic engagement in Vietnam-China relations in 2026.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of 32 cooperation documents between ministries, agencies, and localities of the two countries, creating a foundation to enhance cooperation across areas, she noted.
In terms of people-to-people exchanges, the leaders jointly announced the launch of the Vietnam – China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026–2027, aimed at boosting tourism cooperation and facilitating travel between the two peoples, the spokesperson said.
Vietnam–EFTA FTA seen as increasingly urgent to unlock investment potential
A free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is becoming increasingly urgent to unlock growing economic potential between the two sides, according to Nikolai Astrup, chair of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee.
The agreement would provide a stable and predictable legal framework, giving businesses the confidence to expand their presence and undertake long-term investments, Astrup told hanoimoi.vn newswire on April 23.
Astrup, who is leading an EFTA Parliamentary Committee delegation on a visit to Vietnam, highlighted that the two economies are highly complementary, with limited direct competition.
While EFTA countries bring strengths in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, finance and maritime industries, Vietnam offers a dynamic market, strong growth momentum and an increasingly competitive business environment, according to VOV.
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| Nikolai Astrup (R), chair of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee, during a working session with the National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly in Hanoi on April 20. (Photo: quochoi.vn) |
This complementarity creates significant room for deeper cooperation, particularly as Vietnam accelerates its transition towards green growth and higher value-added industries, areas where EFTA businesses can play a key role, he said.
However, Astrup stressed that institutional stability and a transparent business environment remain critical factors in attracting investment. A comprehensive FTA would help ensure policy consistency and create a level playing field for EFTA companies, which currently do not enjoy the same advantages as some other European partners.
Against this backdrop, both sides are stepping up efforts to conclude the agreement after more than a decade of negotiations, paving the way for increased flows of high-quality investment from EFTA into Vietnam.
During their visit to Vietnam from April 20 to 24, the delegation of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee held working sessions with the National Assembly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and authorities of Ho Chi Minh City.
The delegation also conducted field visits to industrial parks and foreign direct investment (FDI) projects operated by EFTA enterprises in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City to gain first-hand insights into Vietnam’s industrial development orientation, as well as the operational landscape for foreign investors in general and EFTA investors in particular.
Australia firms encouraged to boost investment links with Vietnam
Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam met with Simon White, President of the Australia-Vietnam Business Council in Queensland (AVBCQ), at the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra on April 23 to promote stronger business and investment ties.
At the meeting, White said AVBCQ is advancing three investment projects in Vietnam: a wool manufacturing plant, the entry of a gluten-free bakery producer, and partnerships in hospital operations. The wool project, valued at 80 million AUD (57 million USD), includes two plants in northern and southern Vietnam for dyeing, spinning and weaving, with an annual capacity of 20–25 million kg. About 95% of the output is expected to be exported to European markets.
AVBCQ is also considering the formation of a network linking Australian business councils with ASEAN countries to support regional business cooperation. White added that Queensland authorities, including the state’s trade minister, are keen to expand ties with Vietnam. The Gold Coast is also exploring a sister-city relationship with Ho Chi Minh City, cited VNA.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam (right) meets with Simon White, President of the Australia–Vietnam Business Council Queensland (AVBCQ), at the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra. (Photo: VNA) |
Tam welcomed AVBCQ’s efforts and backed the idea of a regional business network to strengthen production and supply chains between Australian and ASEAN enterprises. As Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Canberra in the first half of 2026, he said he would engage ASEAN diplomats to help advance the initiative.
He also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in areas where Queensland has strengths, including quantum computing, ocean research, energy, education and tourism, and voiced confidence that AVBCQ will continue to serve as a key bridge for Vietnam–Queensland cooperation.
Vietnam named among world’s top 30 exporters in 2025
Vietnam ranked 18th place among the world’s 30 largest exporting economies in 2025, with export turnover reaching nearly US$473 billion, according to the latest data from the World Trade Organization (WTO) compiled by Statista.
Vietnam's export turnover valued US$470 billion for the first time last year, up more than 16 percent year on year, with a trade surplus of over US$20 billion, contributing significantly to maintaining macro-economic stability.
The export growth has been driven by key export products such as electronics, computers, phones and components, machinery and agricultural products including seafood, coffee and wood products.
Vietnam's trade has expanded rapidly over the past decade, rising from US$100 billion in 2009 to US$930 billion last year and is expected to approach US$1 trillion in the near future, VGP reported.
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| Photo: VGP |
As of April 15, 2026, total trade value had reached nearly US$300 billion.
Vietnam set an ambitious export target of some US$546-550 billion for 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 15-16 percent despite increasingly complex and unpredictable geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East.
The preset goal is widely viewed as challenging and requiring decisive and flexible policy responses, said Bui Huy Son, Director General of the Planning, Finance and Enterprise Management Department.
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