ASEAN-Italy Economic Cooperation: Vietnam Highlights Its Role as a Strategic Bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe

The event, co-organised by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, The European House - Ambrosetti (TEHA), Associazione Italy-ASEAN, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Becamex Corporation, attracted over 500 high-level delegates, ministers, experts, and businesses from ASEAN countries and Italy.

The forum saw the participation of more than 500 delegates, including leaders from ministries, localities, international organisations, diplomatic agencies, businesses, and scholars from ASEAN countries and Italy.

The forum comprised five in-depth sessions focusing on key topics, including the ASEAN-Italy economic and geopolitical outlook, green industry and clean energy development, enhancing infrastructure and logistics connectivity, promoting high-quality agriculture and food, Industry 5.0, and the innovation ecosystem.

Discussions also delved into expanding investment flows between the two regions, particularly in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Mr. Le Hoai Trung, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Foreign Minister, participated online and spoke at the opening session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasised that the event is not just an economic forum, but a vivid demonstration of the long-term cooperation vision between ASEAN and the European Union (EU), in general, and Italy, in particular.

The Foreign Minister expressed hope that the program will not only serve as a platform for policy exchange and idea connection but also as a starting point for practical cooperation initiatives and projects, contributing to a new phase of collaboration.

According to Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Italy is a leading industrial nation in Europe and plays a crucial role as a bridge between the EU and ASEAN.

Italy's official status as an ASEAN Development Partner has ushered in a new phase of extensive cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia amid a reshaping of the global economic order.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, and other leaders attended the opening session of the ASEAN-Italy High-Level Economic Dialogue on the morning of November 13. (Source: SGGP)

As an active, dynamic, and responsible member of ASEAN, Vietnam consistently supports the region on its path to integration and sustainable development. Vietnam is proud to be Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN and a strategic destination for European investors - a place where trust, opportunities, and long-term cooperation potential converge.

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasised: "Ho Chi Minh City—a megacity aspiring to global stature in Southeast Asia—is gradually asserting its role as an international financial, scientific, technological, and innovation hub of Vietnam. Hosting the ASEAN-Italy High-Level Economic Dialogue in 2025 in Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, holds special significance.

This event not only marks an expansion in geographical and administrative space but also represents a leap in development thinking, reflecting a vision to restructure economic space towards connecting people, technology, and knowledge. This is a vivid symbol of the values that Vietnam always preserves, promotes, and spreads in its relations with international friends".

Looking to the future, the Foreign Minister emphasised Vietnam's commitment to maintaining a transparent and stable investment environment, encouraging innovation, and affirming its role as a strategic bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe, with Italy as a trusted partner in the region.

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta spoke at the opening session. (Source: SGGP)

At the opening ceremony, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Maria Tripodi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy.

The Italian Deputy Minister affirmed that this forum is a testament to the increasingly important role Italy assigns to the Southeast Asian region.

In economic cooperation, ASEAN-Italy relations have reached a significant level of development. The total trade volume between Italy and ASEAN in 2024 was approximately 23 billion Euros (26.6 billion USD). Of this, trade between Italy and Vietnam reached $ 6.9 billion, an increase of 13.4% compared to the same period.

According to the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the main strength of the Vietnam-Italy economic relationship lies in trade complementarity. Italy supplies high-quality intermediate goods, including fabrics, leather, and yarn, to support Vietnam's manufacturing sector. Conversely, Vietnam exports finished garments and footwear to Italy.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, spoke at the opening session. (Photo: SGGP)

Representing the Ho Chi Minh City Government, Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered a welcome speech emphasising the city's development orientation following the model of "3 zones - 1 special zone - 3 corridors - 5 pillars".

The five strategic pillars include: high-tech industry, logistics and seaports, international financial centre, tourism and cultural industry, and education, healthcare, and science and technology.

Ho Chi Minh City aims to become an international megacity in Southeast Asia, ranking among the top 100 livable cities globally by 2045.

According to statistics, Italy is currently Vietnam's third-largest trading partner in the EU. In the first seven months of 2025, bilateral trade reached $4.3 billion, a 5.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Italy has 162 investment projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of over $624 million, while Vietnam has 11 projects in Italy, with a total capital of nearly $700,000.

Concluding the opening session, leaders from Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City called on businesses, investors, and international organisations to join hands for a future of peace, creativity, and prosperity, contributing to the sustainable development of ASEAN, Vietnam, and Italy.

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