To elevate bilateral relations to new heights, Vietnam and Italy should strengthen exchanges at all levels, especially high level; identify key and prioritised contents to boost economic, trade, and investment ties; enhance defence and security cooperation; boost cultural, educational and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges; and develop local-level partnerships.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –Building on𝓰 a solid foundation of traditional friendship, economic complementarity, and strong political commitment from both sides, Vietnam-Italy relations are expected to further༺ develop more strongly, practically and comprehensively in the coming time, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Rome ahead of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan’s visit to Italy from June 29 to July 1, the ambassador said that the bilateral relationship is well-positioned to reach a higher level of strategic partnersip in the near future.
Hung emphasised the deep historical ties between the two nations. Italy was one of the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973. Notably, President Ho Chi Minh once stayed in Italy during his quest for national salvation in 1928, and today, 21 streets across Italy bear his name, which underscores the enduring friendship between the two nations.
In 2013, Vietnam and Italy established a strategic partnership, marking a turning point in bilateral relations. A significant milestone was the state visit by the State President of Vietnam to Italy in July 2023 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The joint statement released during the visit reaffirmed both countries' commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership and further deepening cooperation in a practical and dynamic manner.
The Vietnam-Italy relationship has achieved notable progress in various areas. Political trust has reached a high level, with frequent exchanges of high-level delegations and efforts to increase strategic cohesion.
Economic relations have expanded significantly. In 2024, two-way trade reached 6.9 billion USD, driven by the positive impact of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Defence-security ties, locality-to-locality cooperation, and people-to-people exchange have all seen progress.
A Vietnamese tourism promotion programme in Italy. (Photo: VNA)
According to the Vietnamese Ambassador, Vietnam and Italy share immense potential for cooperation in both traditional and emerging areas. Building on their strong strategic framework, the two countries can continue to deepen collaboration in traditional sectors such as trade, defence, education, and science; and new areas such as green transition, circular economy, renewable energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, aviation, and space technology.
The two countries also share common views on major international issues. Both support multilateralism, a rules-based international order, and cooperation for peace, stability, and sustainable development. These shared values provide a solid basis for effective coordination in multilateral forums such as the United Nations (UN), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), as well as ASEAN–EU mechanisms. Vietnam stands ready to act as a bridge between Italy and ASEAN.
To elevate bilateral relations to new heights, the ambassador proposed five strategic directions, including strengthening exchanges at all levels, especially high level; identifying key and prioritised contents to boost economic, trade, and investment ties; enhancing defence and security cooperation; boosting cultural, educational and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges; and developing local-level partnerships./.
VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said that Vietnam identifies Italy as one of the key markets in Europe. Italian tourists are famous for their refined aesthetic taste, deep understanding of culture, art and history and for their passion for discovering original values and sophistication in experiences.
Mauro Alboresi, General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party, emphasised that the victory holds immense significance not only for Vietnam and its people, but also for all nations that fought against imperialism.
Deputy Minister of Justice Mai Luong Khoi expressed his hope that the two ministries will continue effectively implementing the 2016 MoU through specific cooperation activities.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
