Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse will visit Vietnam on October 17-18, as the two countries mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass said Switzerland, Norway and Sweden were the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1971.
Switzerland has maintained humanitarian programmes with Vietnam since 1971, while bilateral ties have focused increasingly on economic cooperation and Vietnam's integration into the global economy over the past 15 years.
Gass described the expected free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as an important milestone. Negotiations concluded on July 2, 2026, after 14 years.
The agreement is expected to create predictable trade rules, reduce tariffs, protect innovation and intellectual property, and strengthen business confidence. Vietnam's visa exemption for Swiss citizens since last year has also supported tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The sides are expected to advance trade and investment, science and technology, innovation, finance and sustainable development, and exchange views on regional and international issues.
Switzerland is ready to cooperate with Vietnam on international financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Gass said their success requires a strong and stable domestic banking system with broad access to financial services.
The Swiss National Science Foundation and Vietnam's National Foundation for Science and Technology Development have launched two joint calls, supporting about 20 projects involving leading universities. A third call is expected next year.
The projects cover automation, automotive technology, energy, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics, biotechnology, green energy, the digital economy and agriculture.
Swiss companies, many of which have operated in Vietnam for more than 30 years, invest in vocational training and workers' technical and management skills. They work with universities and train specialists in robotics, smart grids, medical equipment and tourism.
Gass praised Vietnam's economic growth, multilateral commitment and target of net-zero emissions by 2050, saying these qualities make it an important partner for Switzerland.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
