NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s trip mobilises resources for nation’s prosperous development: Deputy FM
WVR - According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang, the business trip to attend the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), conduct a number of bilateral activities in Turkey, and officially visit Italy by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man holds significant importance both in multilateral and bilateral dimensions.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaking at the High-Level Plenary Session of the IPU-150 General Assembly. (Source: VNA) |
At the invitation of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Tulia Ackson and IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will attend the IPU-152 in Istanbul, Turkey, conduct several bilateral activities in Turkey, and officially visit the Republic of Italy from April 11-17, 2026.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang gave an interview to the press about the significance and expectations regarding the business trip of the head of Vietnam's National Assembly.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will attend the IPU-152 General Assembly, conduct a number of bilateral activities in Turkey, and officially visit Italy from April 11-17, 2026. Could you please share the purpose, significance, and importance of the Chairman's business trip?
At the invitation of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Tulia Ackson and IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, on behalf of the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will attend the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul (Turkey), conduct several bilateral activities in Turkey, and officially visit the Republic of Italy from April 11-17, 2026.
This is the first official overseas business trip of the National Assembly Chairman after the 14th National Party Congress, the 16th National Assembly election, and the consolidation of the State apparatus of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the new term. It is a timely and effective implementation of the foreign policy of the 14th Party Congress, contributing to affirming Vietnam's position and new foreign policy mindset; demonstrating Vietnam's strong support for multilateralism and the rule of international law, and continuing to show Vietnam's respect and responsible contribution to the IPU; deepening relations with countries and partners, thereby continuing to garner international support and external resources to realize the country's development goals.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Therefore, this trip holds special significance both in multilateral and bilateral dimensions, as highlighted by the following points:
Firstly, the National Assembly of Vietnam has always been at the forefront, actively promoting cooperation within the IPU framework; proactively proposing and promoting many initiatives and making substantive contributions to the activities of the IPU, and is ready to work with member parliaments and the IPU to implement IPU resolutions and initiatives to contribute to maintaining peace and ensuring sustainable development for the benefit of nations worldwide. Additionally, the National Assembly of Vietnam has participated in many leadership and management mechanisms of the IPU, receiving high trust from member parliaments for its leadership and guidance capabilities. These are important foundations for the National Assembly of Vietnam to continue to play its role and contribute with a new mindset and position at this IPU-152.
Secondly, in the context of complex global changes, the theme "Nurturing Hope, Ensuring Peace, and Protecting Justice for Future Generations" of IPU-152 has touched on the core concerns of the international community today. This is also the fundamental basis and prerequisite condition for addressing common challenges and shaping a sustainable future. Accordingly, the National Assembly Chairman will deliver an important speech, sharing Vietnam's vision on global and regional issues, and proposing specific action solutions to promote inter-parliamentary cooperation to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and promoting sustainable and prosperous development worldwide. Additionally, the National Assembly of Vietnam will join other parliaments in discussing a roadmap to enhance legislative effectiveness, oversight, and promote multilateral cooperation to realize common goals.
Thirdly, within the framework of the Conference, the National Assembly Chairman will have meetings, exchanges, and contacts with leaders of parliaments of other countries, IPU leaders, and international organizations. Through these, the National Assembly Chairman will inform about Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements after 40 years of renovation, Vietnam's vision and aspiration for development in the new era with the goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and high middle-income by 2030, and a developed country with high income by 2045; and convey to the international community the message about the foreign policy of the 14th National Party Congress.
Finally, I believe that the trip will bring new momentum to Vietnam's relations with important partners.
With Turkey, this is the first visit in 8 years by the National Assembly Chairman of Vietnam. The visit is an opportunity for both sides to enhance political trust, deepen cooperation between the two National Assemblies in particular, and promote substantive bilateral relations in general.
With Italy, the visit is an opportunity for both sides to realize the Joint Declaration of the high-level leaders of the two countries on strengthening the Vietnam-Italy Strategic Partnership, as well as the Action Plan for cooperation between the two countries for the period. The visit is expected to bring the Vietnam-Italy Strategic Partnership to a deeper, more substantive, and effective level in all fields.
On this occasion, the National Assembly Chairman will also meet with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
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| During the business trip to Italy in September 2025, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang had a working meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Maria Tripodi. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Could you please share the prominent highlights in the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Italy and Turkey in recent times, as well as your expectations for the visits?
Italy and Turkey are both traditional, long-standing, and important partners of Vietnam in the European and Middle Eastern regions. Over the years, the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries have increasingly developed closely, effectively, and achieved many positive results, specifically:
Firstly, political trust has been continuously strengthened. Vietnam and Italy, Turkey regularly maintain visits and contacts at all levels; establish and effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms. At multilateral forums and parliamentary forums, Vietnam and the two countries maintain close coordination and regularly support each other, sharing similar approaches on many international and regional issues of common concern. Vietnam has established a Friendship Parliamentary Group with both of these partner countries.
Secondly, Italy and Turkey are both important economic and trade partners of Vietnam. Italy is Vietnam's third-largest trading partner in the EU, and Vietnam is Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade turnover in 2025 reaching $7.3 billion, an increase of nearly 115% compared to 2013. Italy is also the first EU member in the G7 to ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Meanwhile, Turkey is one of Vietnam's leading trading partners in the Middle East and serves as a gateway for Vietnam to export to the Middle East and Southern Europe markets, with bilateral trade turnover in 2025 reaching nearly $2.3 billion. Turkey is also the second-largest investor from the Middle East in Vietnam. As of December 2025, Turkey has 49 investment projects in effect, with a total registered capital of nearly $1.8 billion. It can be said that Vietnam and Turkey are each other's leading trading partners in the region, with highly complementary economies, both serving as important gateways connecting regions and multilateral organizations to which both countries are members.
Thirdly, cooperation in other fields such as science and technology, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges is being promoted by the leaders of both sides. Scientific and technological cooperation between Vietnam and Italy is increasingly developing with specific cooperation programs and activities for each period, suitable to the needs and potential of both sides, notably the Science and Technology Cooperation Program for the 2024-2026 period. Meanwhile, cultural cooperation continues to play an important role in enhancing understanding and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Cultural and artistic activities such as Vietnam-Italy cultural days/weeks, art performances, fine arts, photography, exhibitions, cinema, and fashion shows are regularly organized, notably recent events like the "Heritage Connection Journey" show, the "Italy and Vietnam: 50 Years of Friendship and Cooperation" photo exhibition, the Vietnam Tourism Introduction Program in Milan, and the Italian Film Festival in Vietnam, which have left a deep impression on the people of both countries.
Vietnam always values its relationship with Turkey, as evidenced by providing $100,000 in aid and sending a rescue team to help address the earthquake disaster in February 2023. Building on the success of the Prime Minister's visit in November 2023, the two countries are striving to deepen bilateral relations. Current priorities include promoting people-to-people exchanges, simplifying visa procedures, and expanding cooperation in potential fields such as renewable energy, agriculture, digital transformation, and science and technology.
Besides the substantive results achieved, there is still significant room for cooperation between Vietnam and Italy and Turkey. Vietnam hopes to elevate its relationship with Italy to a new level by promoting cooperation across all channels of the Party, State, and Parliament, and in key areas such as economy, science, and technology. With Turkey, the focus is on enhancing legislative, security, economic, and Halal agricultural cooperation.
With the foundation of long-standing traditional relations and good cooperation, I hope and believe that National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's business trip will achieve many positive results, making practical contributions to strengthening and expanding cooperation fields between Vietnam and Italy and Turkey. The National Assembly Chairman's meetings with the Pope and the Vatican Prime Minister will also further enhance the currently well-developing relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See.
I also believe that the business trip will open up new opportunities, provide important momentum, and mobilize resources to serve the nation's aspiration for prosperous development in the new era, continuing to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.
Thank you very much, Deputy Minister!
