HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City is keen to enhance friendship and cooperation with Italian cities such as Turin, Genoa, and Milan across various sectors including tourism, heritage conservation, port development, renewable energy production, infrastructure development, and climate change adaptation.

The statement was made by Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee, during the celebration of Italy's National Day on June 2, which was hosted by the Italian Consulate General in the city.

Highlighting the fruitful collaboration between HCM City and Italian localities, Hoan said that, based on the strong bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Italy, Ho Chi Minh City has always been one of the most proactive localities in fostering ties with Italy.

Italy is one of the city’s key trade and investment partners, with the total bilateral trade value in 2024 reaching nearly 790 million USD, marking an increase of over 30% compared to the previous year. Currently, Italy has 76 investment projects in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total capital of nearly 135 million USD, ranking 24th among more than 120 countries and territories investing in the city, he noted.

Assessing the relationship between the city and Italian regions, the official stated that with the upcoming merger of HCM City with the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the city’s size will significantly expand, offering ample space for urban development, industry, logistics, and port infrastructure. This will lay a solid foundation for enhanced regional connectivity and international integration. HCM City will be well-positioned to further boost cooperation with international partners, including Italian localities and businesses, he stated.

The city leader expressed his belief that, with the strong political trust, effective economic linkages, and close people-to-people exchanges built between Vietnam and Italy, the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as the cooperation between HCM City and Italian regions, will continue to grow for the benefit of the people of both nations, and for regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.

In his speech at the event, Enrico Padula, Consul General of Italy in HCM City, reflected on the development history of the Italian Republic over the past 79 years and noted that HCM City and its surrounding provinces are home to the largest concentration of Italian companies in Vietnam. He said that the presence of over 100 Italian companies in the consular area is a testament to the dynamic cooperation between Italy and Vietnam, aimed at fostering mutual development and common benefit.

Padula added that HCM City is also the location of headquarters of Italian government agencies dedicated to supporting businesses and globalising Italian enterprises, with the goal of enhancing economic and trade growth between Italy and Vietnam. In the near future, the Italian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City will continue to support Italian businesses operating in Vietnam, particularly in key sectors such as machinery, pharmaceuticals, electronics, aerospace, fashion, and food.

The Italian Consul General also stressed that fostering cooperation in scientific fields would significantly improve economic and trade relations, while also promoting cultural collaboration. This, he suggested, will help deepen mutual understanding between the people of Italy and Vietnam.

💫 The presence of the Italian Women’s Association in HCM City, as well as the vibrant online community of Italian language learners and food enthusiasts, illustrates the sound development of people-to-people relations between Italy and HCM City, the diplomat stated./.