NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man's visit to Italy reflects the priority both sides assign to bilateral relations: Italian Ambassador

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta. (Photo: The Italian Embassy in Vietnam)

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, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta shares with The World and Vietnam Report about the significance of the business trip of the head of Vietnam's National Assembly and hightlights in the bilateral relations.

Your Excellency, Italy has always considered Vietnam a priority partner in Southeast Asia. In your view, how will this official visit by National Chairman Tran Thanh Man contribute to deepening the Strategic Partnership between our two nations, particularly in the realm of parliamentary cooperation?

The visit to Italy by Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his high-level delegation is of profound significance. It sends a clear signal of political commitment at the highest level and reflects the importance both countries attach to further strengthening our Strategic Partnership.

More from WVR
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s visit to Italy strengthens traditional friendship, creates new momentum for strategic partnership

The timing is particularly meaningful. It comes at a transformative moment for Vietnam, following recent institutional developments that have consolidated key roles within the political system. Moreover, the visit takes place during the first session of the National Assembly after the 14^th Party Congress, a crucial phase for defining Vietnam’s future political, economic, and legislative trajectory. That Chairman Man has chosen Italy as his first destination abroad after his re-election is deeply appreciated in Rome and clearly reflects the priority both sides assign to our bilateral relations

Over the past thirteen years, since the establishment of our Strategic Partnership, our bilateral relations have evolved significantly. What began as a framework for structured dialogue has matured into a fully-fledged and dynamic partnership.

This progress has been supported by successive Action Plans, regular Political Consultations, and annual meetings of the Joint Economic Commission. Today, cooperation spans a wide range of sectors, including high-tech industry, sustainable development, and cultural and scientific exchange.

Against this background, Chairman Man’s visit creates a valuable opportunity to further advance cooperation between our respective legislatures. While often less visible in the public domain, interactions between parliaments are crucial to maintaining the strength and consistency of bilateral relations over time. Legislative bodies are instrumental in defining the rules and frameworks that enable cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, energy, defense, and security.

As Italy and Vietnam become ever more interconnected, closer engagement at the parliamentary level is essential to ensure that our systems develop in a coordinated and mutually reinforcing way. In this sense, the visit marks a meaningful step in deepening this dimension of our partnership.

The Vietnam pavilion at EICMA 2025, held at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition center in Milan, northern Italy, from November 4–9 2025. (Photo: VNA correspondent in Italy)

Italy possesses a long-standing and highly experienced parliamentary system. How do you assess the role of our two legislatures in overseeing and promoting the implementation of major agreements such as the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and specifically in accelerating the ratification of the Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA)? Furthermore, how can the parliamentary channel serve as an effective bridge for cooperation between the provinces and localities of our two countries?

The Italian parliamentary system, deeply rooted in the country’s institutional history, continues to play a central role in national political life, much like the function carried out by the National Assembly in Vietnam. While Italy’s system is bicameral – reflecting both political forces and territorial representation – and Vietnam’s is unicameral – embodying the will of the people as a whole, both legislatures are essential in shaping national priorities and responding to societal needs.

In the sphere of international relations, parliaments hold a crucial responsibility, as they are entrusted with the ratification of treaties, which give domestic legal effect to agreements between States. For a Member State of the European Union such as Italy, this responsibility extends to agreements concluded between the Union and Vietnam, including the EVFTA. Within this framework, the Vietnamese National Assembly is competent for the adoption and adjustment of the legislative and regulatory measures necessary to implement the commitments undertaken, including in areas such as taxation and standards.

As regards the EVIPA, Italy completed the ratification process in July 2023, confirming its firm consideration of Vietnam as a strategic partner in the region. The agreement now requires ratification by some other EU Member States. Once fully in force, EVIPA is expected to provide a stable and predictable legal framework, conducive to further strengthening bilateral investment flows.

Beyond their legislative functions, parliaments can also serve as effective channels to foster closer ties between regions, provinces, and local authorities. Through parliamentary exchanges, friendship groups, and institutional dialogue, they can facilitate contacts and promote cooperation at the local level, thereby contributing to a more diversified and resilient bilateral relationship.

The Vietnam–Italy Business Forum 2025, jointly organized by the Ministry of Finance, the Italian Trade Agency, and the General Confederation of Italian Industry (Confindustria), in September 2025. (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam is making significant efforts to fulfill its climate change commitments, especially the Net Zero target. What support can Italy provide to Vietnam through cooperation packages in green technology, smart agriculture, and urban management that may be discussed during this visit?

Let me begin by expressing my deep appreciation for Vietnam’s strong commitment to addressing climate change and achieving the Net Zero target by 2050.

Among fast-growing economies, Vietnam stands out for its forward-looking approach, combining rapid development with increasing attention to sustainability. Reaching these ambitious goals, however, requires sustained international cooperation and access to advanced technologies, expertise and financial resources.

In this context, Italy stands ready to support Vietnam, particularly in the field of green technology and energy transition. Our country is actively engaged through its participation in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), with a pledge of €500 million. A concrete example of this commitment is the Bac Ai Pumped Hydro Storage Project, to which Italy is strongly committed through financial support. Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) is contributing €80 million, helping to strengthen the resilience of Vietnam’s energy system

Italy can also offer valuable cooperation in smart agriculture, drawing on its advanced know-how in precision farming, efficient water management and sustainable agri-tech solutions, aimed at increasing productivity while reducing environmental impact and enhancing the quality of value chains.

Finally, urban management and regeneration represent another key pillar of cooperation. Italy brings recognized expertise in sustainable urban planning and smart city development. In this regard, the latest edition of the Italian Design Day in Vietnam was dedicated to urban regeneration, highlighting integrated approaches that combine environmental sustainability, social inclusion and cultural valorization.

Ambassador Marco Della Seta presents the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Knight rank) to Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), in recognition of her significant contributions to Vietnam–Italy cultural cooperation. (Photo: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Culture has always been a bright spot in Vietnam-Italy relations. What are your expectations for the cultural and educational exchange activities that will be promoted on the occasion of this high-level visit?

Italy is globally renowned for its extraordinary cultural heritage and for the consistent and effective manner in which it has leveraged this asset as a form of soft power. Vietnam, with its rich and millennial civilization, is equally well positioned to draw upon similar instruments to enhance its international cultural presence. This shared strength provides a solid foundation for further deepening bilateral relations through cultural and educational exchanges.

On the occasion of his high-level visit, Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to travel to Rome and Milan, two cities of exceptional significance that stand as both national symbols and global cultural centers. Rome, with its unique stratification of historical and artistic legacies, remains one of the world’s foremost cultural capitals. Milan, in turn, offers a complementary perspective as a dynamic hub of design, innovation, opera and higher education, distinguished by its strong international outlook and forward-looking environment.

I am confident that, through direct engagement with Italian institutions and cultural stakeholders, Chairman Man will gain a comprehensive and firsthand appreciation of the richness and diversity of Italy’s cultural landscape. This experience will further underscore the role of culture as a strategic driver in international relations, capable of fostering dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding.

At the same time, the visit will provide a valuable opportunity to consolidate and expand existing cooperation in education, academic research and the arts, while promoting new initiatives that can further enhance people-to-people exchanges and build a more structured and enduring cultural partnership between our two countries.

Thank you so much!

Vietnam, Italy strengthen economic ties at Investment Connectivity Forum 2025 Hosted by the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam, the event was designed to promote stronger trade and investment links with Italy.

ASEAN-Italy Economic Cooperation: Vietnam Highlights Its Role as a Strategic Bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe On November 13, the 9th High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations took place in Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Le Hoai Trung, member of the ...

Order of Merit of Italy honours a great friend of Vietnam WVR - Mr. Greig Craft – Chairman of the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, godfather of Thien Nhan, and co-founder of the program “Thien Nhan ...

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung to pay a working visit to Spain, Italy, and Germany WVR - Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung will pay a working visit to the Kingdom of Spain, the Italian Republic, and the Federal Republic ...

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man to attend IPU-152 in Türkiye, visit Italy WVR/VNA - Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man will attend the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-152) in Istanbul, Türkiye, and pay ...