Permanent Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh pays courtesy call to Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Bern

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Bình meets with Swiss President and Minister of Economy, Education, and Research Guy Parmelin.

During the meetings, Swiss leaders highly appreciated the visit by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh at the beginning of 2026, considering it a meaningful activity to commemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland (1971-2026).

Both sides agreed that the visit takes place in the context of flourishing bilateral relations across various fields, especially following the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership framework at the beginning of 2025, during Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính's visit to Switzerland.

Swiss leaders praised Vietnam's increasingly prominent international role and admired its socio-economic development achievements and international integration.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh informed Swiss senior leaders about key outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, reaffirming Vietnam's consistent policy of valuing friendship and cooperation with Switzerland. He expressed gratitude to Switzerland for its vaccine support, which helped Vietnam control the Covid-19 pandemic and recover from natural disasters, and extended condolences to Switzerland over the recent fire in Crans Montana.

The two sides discussed specific measures to elevate bilateral relations to a new, more substantive and effective phase, agreeing to enhance exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits, effectively implement the Comprehensive Partnership framework, and encourage the Swiss Parliament to establish the Switzerland-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group to strengthen parliamentary cooperation.

On this occasion, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister conveyed official invitations from General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong to President Guy Parmelin, and from National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn to Speaker Pierre-André Page to visit Vietnam.

Both sides also agreed to enhance political trust and expand cooperation in potential, complementary fields for the benefit of both countries, as well as for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

They concurred on promoting the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), in which Switzerland is a key member, within 2026, paving the way for new trade and investment cooperation opportunities and connecting financial centers of both countries.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh expressed Vietnam's desire to strengthen cooperation with Switzerland in developing international financial centers, particularly in institutional building, sharing operational experience, and training high-quality human resources. He also emphasized expanding cooperation in trade-investment, science-technology, green transition, and renewable energy to contribute to Vietnam's double-digit growth target.

He also requested Switzerland to continue facilitating the integration of the Vietnamese community in Switzerland, enabling them to contribute positively to the local society and the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.

On the same day, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh met with leaders of the Swiss-Vietnamese Economic Forum (SVEF), the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC), and representatives of financial and technology enterprises to promote trade and investment cooperation, particularly encouraging Swiss businesses to invest in the International Financial Center in Vietnam.

Swiss businesses expressed their impression with Vietnam's economic growth momentum, confidence in its future growth prospects, and welcomed the initiative to establish an International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, expressing readiness to cooperate and share experiences.

Some businesses shared their successful business results in Vietnam, stating that establishing an international financial center is a timely move that could attract new foreign investments into Vietnam.

The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that as Vietnam aims for an average GDP growth of 10% or more annually from 2026 to 2030, there is a significant need for resource mobilization, particularly in areas where Switzerland has strengths such as green finance, digital finance, clean energy, and modern infrastructure.

He expressed hope that Swiss businesses would actively increase their investments in Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam is ready to accompany and resolve any obstacles to ensure long-term and effective investments by Swiss enterprises.