Promoting Vietnam-Switzerland economic cooperation in a new era
WVR - On the morning of November 4, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang attended and delivered an online opening speech at the Swiss-Vietnam Economic Forum (SVEF), which convenes in Da Nang from November 3-5, 2025.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang delivers an online opening speech at the Swiss-Vietnam Economic Forum (SVEF). (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that the Forum holds special significance, reflecting the spirit of cooperation between a dynamic Vietnam, deeply integrated into the global economy, and an innovative, sustainably developed Switzerland, a leading center of multilateral diplomacy worldwide.
Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed her delight that the Forum is being held in Da Nang – a smart, dynamic city in Central Vietnam, aiming to become a regional hub for innovation and finance, with strong international connections.
She noted that the establishment of SVEF in 2024 marks a significant step in strengthening and expanding Vietnam-Switzerland relations. As an annual high-level dialogue platform between the governments, localities, and businesses of both countries, SVEF aims to promote cooperation in economic fields, innovation, and sustainable development.
This year's Forum gathers around 300 delegates, including leaders from Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities, international organizations, businesses, investors, scholars from both countries, and regional partners, to discuss green transformation, sustainable finance, and digital transformation – pressing issues of the era.
After more than 50 years of diplomatic relations (1971 – 2025), Vietnam and Switzerland have become reliable and effective partners in many fields. Switzerland is the sixth-largest European investor in Vietnam with over 200 projects and total capital exceeding 2 billion USD; bilateral trade in 2024 reached 2.45 billion CHF, up 12% from the previous year. Leading corporations like Nestlé, ABB, Roche, Zurich Insurance, and Holcim operate effectively in Vietnam, creating jobs for tens of thousands of workers.
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| Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that hosting the SVEF in Da Nang contributes to connecting international resources, helping the locality leverage its advantages in technology, innovation, and sustainable development. |
At the World Economic Forum Davos 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Swiss President Karin Keller Sutter announced the upgrade of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership, committing to promote negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA bloc (comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), expanding cooperation in innovation, high technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that diplomacy serving development is one of the major priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with supporting localities in international integration being a key task. For Da Nang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs always accompanies in investment promotion, resource attraction, and promoting the image of a dynamic and livable city. Hosting the SVEF in Da Nang contributes to connecting international resources, helping the locality leverage its advantages in technology, innovation, and sustainable development.
The Deputy Minister is confident that SVEF will become a new symbol of creative and reliable cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland, contributing to realizing the goal of green, inclusive, and prosperous development for both nations.
