The year 2026 marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Switzerland, celebrating more than half a century of bilateral ties that have weathered historical challenges and continued to expand on a foundation of mutual trust, cooperation, and shared vision.
President Guy Parmelin’s official visit holds special significance, serving not only as an occasion to look back on past achievements but also as a pivotal opportunity to shape the next phase of bilateral cooperation.
The Ambassador emphasized that President Guy Parmelin’s visit is an occasion to honor the achievements of the comprehensive partnership between the two nations. Bilateral cooperation now extends far beyond traditional trade to encompass science, joint research, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
In the context of global trade volatility, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying competition, establishing a stable framework for cooperation is of vital importance to both Viet Nam and Switzerland.
Ambassador Thomas Gass noted that President Parmelin’s visit, alongside the anticipated signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and EFTA, will help solidify confidence between the two economies, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Highlighting that the agreement aims not only to reduce trade barriers but also to empower both sides to leverage their distinct strengths and create greater mutual value, Ambassador Gass underscored that, for Viet Nam, the FTA could significantly improve market access, boost competitiveness, and enable deeper integration into global value chains.
For Switzerland, a clear and stable trade framework provides businesses with a strong foundation to explore investment opportunities in Viet Nam, particularly in sectors requiring high technological sophistication and specialized expertise.
In the long term, closer economic integration is expected to drive trade and investment while fostering collaborative efforts grounded in innovation, high quality, and added value
Viet Nam’s ambition to establish an international financial center presents highly promising avenues for strategic collaboration with Switzerland, a nation with centuries of expertise in banking and financial services.
Ambassador Thomas Gass affirmed that Switzerland warmly welcomes this strategic ambition and stands ready to work closely with Viet Nam, focusing primarily on strengthening the overall capacity of the Vietnamese banking system.
“For Viet Nam to successfully transform into an international financial center, it is essential to ensure that all Vietnamese citizens are connected to and meaningfully integrated into the banking system,” the Swiss Ambassador remarked.
Ambassador Gass further highlighted that existing academic and research ties between universities in both countries provide a solid base for expanding joint initiatives, facilitating knowledge transfer, and developing innovative, practical solutions.
He noted that Switzerland can contribute expertise and advanced technology across various key sectors, including automotive engineering, energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and agriculture—thereby assisting Viet Nam in enhancing productivity, upgrading product value, and advancing in global value chains.
Moreover, many Swiss corporations have maintained a strong presence in Viet Nam for over 30 years, investing not only in production capacity but also prioritizing talent development, vocational training, and skills enhancement for the local workforce.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam and his spouse, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin and his spouse will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from October 17 to 18, 2026.
