The visit comes as Vietnam and Switzerland mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and step up implementation of their Comprehensive Partnership, established in January 2025. The partnership provides a basis for closer political ties, more substantive economic cooperation and broader collaboration in emerging areas, the ambassador said.
The trip is expected to help turn existing cooperation opportunities into concrete projects.
The planned signing in Hanoi of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, would be an important milestone for bilateral economic ties. The ambassador said the deal is expected to create more favourable conditions for investment, expanded partnerships and access to each other’s markets.
Growing Swiss business interest in Vietnam is creating more opportunities for partnerships and joint projects. It is also facilitating Vietnamese firms’ access to science, technology and workforce development, supporting the country’s development ambitions.
The ambassador said the past 55 years had laid a solid foundation of trust and cooperation. The Comprehensive Partnership opens a new phase in which the countries can expand collaboration and turn commitments and existing potential into concrete projects with practical, long-term benefits for both sides.
Negotiations on the Vietnam EFTA free trade agreement concluded on July 2, 2026. The ambassador said the agreement should be viewed as more than a tariff-cutting mechanism. It covers trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, government procurement, sustainable development, small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperation and capacity building.
The agreement would provide a basis for Vietnam’s economic ties with EFTA members, including Switzerland, to grow more intensively and extensively.
Improved market access is expected to benefit Vietnamese industries with established export capabilities and a foothold in Switzerland, including textiles and garments, footwear, electronics, machinery, equipment, and certain agricultural and processed food products.
Small and medium-sized enterprises that meet international standards and produce higher value-added goods could also gain opportunities. The same applies to domestic manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers and suppliers seeking to join Swiss companies’ supply chains.
Technology-intensive and innovation-driven sectors could also benefit, as the agreement may expand exports and attract Swiss investment, technology and research cooperation.
Switzerland’s strengths in technology, innovation, pharmaceuticals, finance and high-tech manufacturing complement Vietnam’s strategic location in Asia and extensive network of free trade agreements. Given the complementarity of the two economies, Swiss businesses should view Vietnam not only as a market of more than 100 million people but also as a base for investment, manufacturing, research and development, access to the wider ASEAN market and deeper participation in regional value chains.
To maximise the agreement’s benefits, Vietnam needs to continue improving its investment and business environment, making it more transparent, stable, business-friendly and predictable, the ambassador said.
She also stressed the need to strengthen domestic companies’ ability to join Swiss supply chains, develop technology and business partnerships, and expand cooperation in innovation, research and development, workforce training and technology transfer.
Combining Switzerland’s strengths in technology, innovation and governance with Vietnam’s manufacturing capacity, market potential and human resources will help the two countries move beyond trade expansion towards joint production, research, innovation and deeper participation in global value chains.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
