A milestone in Vietnam–Switzerland relations
Switzerland was one of the first Western European nations to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, on October 11, 1971, though their ties stretch back much further. Over a century ago, Swiss merchants, scientists, and explorers arrived in Vietnam, drawn by its culture and opportunities. Among the most notable was Alexandre Yersin, a scientist who lived and conducted research in Vietnam in the 19th century and passed away in Nha Trang in 1943.
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Vietnamese and Swiss businesses explore cooperation opportunities at the Vietnam Day 2025. |
In 1954, Switzerland hosted the Geneva Conference on Indochina, offering Vietnam the first opportunity to participate in multilateral diplomacy. These early engagements laid the foundation for today’s strong bilateral relationship. After formal diplomatic ties were established in 1971, Switzerland opened its embassy in Hanoi in 1973 and its consulate in Ho Chi Minh City in 1994. Vietnam opened its consulate in Geneva in 1984, which was upgraded to a consulate general a decade later, and officially inaugurated its embassy in Bern in 2000.
Over the past more than five decades, high-level visits have deepened mutual trust and created a favorable environment for collaboration. Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet visited Switzerland in 2010, followed by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung in 2014, and N.A. Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan for the IPU-138 in 2018. Most recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and held meetings with Swiss President Viola Amherd in January 2024 and January 2025, while Party General Secretary and State President To Lam also met President Amherd on the sidelines of the 19th Francophonie Summit in October 2024.
From the Swiss side, significant visits to Vietnam included those by President Arnold Koller in 1997, President Pascal Couchepin in 2008, President of the Council of States Ivo Bischofberger in 2017, and Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin in 2019. More recent visits to Vietnam were conducted by Vice President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in 2021, Agriculture Minister Christian Hofer in 2023, and President of the Swiss National Council Martin Candinas in June 2023.
In particular, on January 21, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter on the sidelines of the 55th WEF in Davos. The two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, ushering in a new phase of deeper, more effective cooperation.
Looking ahead, Vietnam and Switzerland have committed to intensifying high-level exchanges, accelerating the negotiation of a Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement, and expanding cooperation in areas such as education, science and technology, culture, tourism, and climate change adaptation. They have also continued to support one another at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN, ASEM, and the ASEAN–Switzerland sectoral dialogue partnership.
Economic, trade cooperation makes strides
Economic, trade, and investment relations between Vietnam and Switzerland have steadily progressed alongside their political partnership. Switzerland is one of Vietnam’s most important European trading partners and ranks as its sixth-largest European investor. Conversely, Vietnam is among Switzerland’s top trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Bilateral trade has remained stable over recent years, reaching 860.7 million USD in 2021, 806.7 million USD in 2022, 825.8 million USD in 2023, and 811.2 million USD in 2024. In the first half of 2025, trade totaled 454 million USD. Switzerland increasingly appreciates Vietnam’s growing role in global trade, especially following the implementation of the E.U. - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Both sides are actively negotiating a Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement, with EFTA comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
As of December 2024, Switzerland ranked 20th out of 147 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 221 projects and over 2.11 billion USD in registered capital. Leading Swiss companies operating in Vietnam include Nestlé in the food and beverage sector; Novartis and Roche in pharmaceuticals and healthcare; ABB in power and automation; Sulzer in engineering; SGS in inspection and certification; Escatec in electronics manufacturing; Ringier in publishing; and André/CIE in trade.
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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man |
Switzerland also stands out as one of the few Western European nations that have consistently provided official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam. Since 1992, Swiss ODA has reached nearly 630 million Swiss francs, or approximately 790 million USD. In May 2025, Switzerland launched its 2025–2028 Development Cooperation Program for Vietnam with a committed budget of 50 million USD.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Switzerland donated 13 tons of medical equipment worth 5.5 million USD to Vietnam and sent six landslide experts to assist with disaster response following Typhoon Yagi in 2024. These acts of support reflect the enduring friendship between the two nations, which is further bolstered by regular cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties.
Both countries see substantial potential in expanding cooperation in education, innovation, sustainable development, tourism, and culture. Currently, around 150 Vietnamese students, apprentices, and researchers are studying at Swiss universities. Switzerland also supports Vietnam through environmental education and postgraduate training in finance, banking, and business management.
The Vietnamese community in Switzerland, estimated at around 10,000 people and living across all 26 cantons, has integrated well into Swiss society. They have maintained strong ties to their homeland while contributing positively to the bilateral relations through cultural and community activities.
Expanding parliamentary cooperation
Parliamentary relations between Vietnam and Switzerland have continued to thrive. A key milestone was National Council President Martin Candinas’s official visit to Vietnam in June 2023, during which both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to elevating the ties for mutual benefit and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) meets with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter on January 21, 2025. |
The two legislatures have maintained regular consultation and supported for one another in multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF). Their Parliamentary Friendship Groups have also played a important role in advancing sectoral collaboration.
N.A. Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s participation in the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, along with his bilateral activities in Switzerland, underscore Vietnam’s steady policy of advancing the Vietnam - Switzerland comprehensive partnership. The visit aims to enhance cooperation in fields where Switzerland has expertise and Vietnam has development needs, such as finance, banking, digital transformation, innovation, and precision engineering. It is also expected to open opportunities for collaboration in emerging sectors including renewable energy, green transition, and digital economy.
This trip also seeks to accelerate negotiations on the Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement, reinforce Vietnam’s strategic position as a bridge between Switzerland and ASEAN, and promote deeper collaboration between the parliaments of the two countries.
Source: VNA