Key Takeaways
- • Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met Swiss President Guy Parmelin on October 17 at the Government headquarters in Hanoi during Parmelin's official visit, marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
- • Parmelin proposed connecting Switzerland's Crypto Valley with Vietnam's innovation ecosystem to advance cooperation in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology, according to the Vietnam.vn report.
- • Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked Switzerland to share its experience in building an international financial center in Vietnam and to deepen cooperation in green finance, investment funds, asset management, crypto assets, carbon credits, international bonds, and financial technology.
- • Both sides aim to ensure early entry into force of the Vietnam-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA) and to double bilateral trade turnover, with Hanoi encouraging Swiss businesses and investment funds to expand investment in finance and banking, manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and innovation.
- • Parmelin offered to facilitate visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens and to prioritize vocational training tied to business needs, while the two sides agreed to establish intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms in economics, science, technology, and innovation.
Summary
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met Swiss President Guy Parmelin at the Government headquarters on the afternoon of October 17, 2026, during Parmelin's official visit to Vietnam with his wife. The visit marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Hung described Switzerland as a reliable companion and an important partner in Europe, and said Vietnam values Swiss support during its independence and reunification struggle and its ongoing development and integration.
Hung said the visit opens a new chapter in bilateral relations, particularly following the signing of the Vietnam-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA). He asked Switzerland to help ensure the agreement's early entry into force, with the goal of doubling bilateral trade turnover. Hung also called on Swiss businesses and investment funds to expand investment in Vietnam across finance and banking, manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and innovation.
On finance, Hung noted that financial services are a major strength of Switzerland and a strategic priority for Vietnam. He requested Swiss support for building an international financial center in Vietnam and for stronger ties with major global financial hubs. He also proposed cooperation in green finance, investment funds, asset management, crypto assets, carbon credits, international bonds, and financial technology.
Parmelin thanked Vietnam for its welcome and said Switzerland was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. He said both countries share commitments to peace, cooperation, and multilateralism, and noted that the visiting delegation included a large number of Swiss businesses and scientists. Parmelin welcomed the VEFTA signing, saying it creates opportunities for trade and investment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. He cited Swiss strengths in insurance, reinsurance, manufacturing, precision machinery, and high technology, and proposed linking Switzerland's Crypto Valley with Vietnam's innovation ecosystem. He also pledged to facilitate visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens.
Both sides agreed to make education and training, science, technology, and innovation central to cooperation, with a focus on linking innovation centers, research institutions, universities, and businesses. Priority areas include AI, quantum technology, green energy, the digital economy, higher education, and vocational training. On climate, they agreed to cooperate on emissions reduction, green transition, agronomic research, water resource management, sustainable agriculture, and insurance and reinsurance. The sides also agreed to expand cooperation in investment, including port infrastructure, culture, tourism, labor, and people-to-people exchanges, and to coordinate within multilateral forums.
Hung said the visit opens a new chapter in bilateral relations, particularly following the signing of the Vietnam-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA). He asked Switzerland to help ensure the agreement's early entry into force, with the goal of doubling bilateral trade turnover. Hung also called on Swiss businesses and investment funds to expand investment in Vietnam across finance and banking, manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and innovation.
On finance, Hung noted that financial services are a major strength of Switzerland and a strategic priority for Vietnam. He requested Swiss support for building an international financial center in Vietnam and for stronger ties with major global financial hubs. He also proposed cooperation in green finance, investment funds, asset management, crypto assets, carbon credits, international bonds, and financial technology.
Parmelin thanked Vietnam for its welcome and said Switzerland was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. He said both countries share commitments to peace, cooperation, and multilateralism, and noted that the visiting delegation included a large number of Swiss businesses and scientists. Parmelin welcomed the VEFTA signing, saying it creates opportunities for trade and investment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. He cited Swiss strengths in insurance, reinsurance, manufacturing, precision machinery, and high technology, and proposed linking Switzerland's Crypto Valley with Vietnam's innovation ecosystem. He also pledged to facilitate visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens.
Both sides agreed to make education and training, science, technology, and innovation central to cooperation, with a focus on linking innovation centers, research institutions, universities, and businesses. Priority areas include AI, quantum technology, green energy, the digital economy, higher education, and vocational training. On climate, they agreed to cooperate on emissions reduction, green transition, agronomic research, water resource management, sustainable agriculture, and insurance and reinsurance. The sides also agreed to expand cooperation in investment, including port infrastructure, culture, tourism, labor, and people-to-people exchanges, and to coordinate within multilateral forums.
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