The visit takes place as the two countries celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1971-2026), providing an opportunity to strengthen political trust and advance the Viet Nam-Switzerland Comprehensive Partnership in a deeper, broader and more substantive manner.
Since diplomatic relations were established on October 11, 1971, Viet Nam and Switzerland have maintained close ties through various stages of development. Over the past 55 years, bilateral relations have grown alongside Viet Nam’s economic development and improvements in living standards. Switzerland is among the Western European countries that have continued to provide official development assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam, with more than USD 800 million disbursed since 1992. In May 2025, Switzerland announced its 2025-2028 development cooperation program with Viet Nam, with ODA worth USD 50 million.
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President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin |
A major milestone came in January 2025, when the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership, opening a new phase of cooperation with greater political depth, more substantive economic ties and broader prospects for collaboration. The relations have become increasingly dynamic at both the governmental and legislative levels, with parliamentary diplomacy playing an important role in strengthening mutual understanding, political trust and long-term cooperation.
The establishment of the comprehensive partnership has also created new opportunities for economic cooperation. Switzerland is an important trade partner of Viet Nam in Europe, while Viet Nam is an important trade partner of Switzerland in ASEAN. Bilateral trade reached more than USD 1.04 billion in 2025 and exceeded USD 716 million in the first eight months of 2026. As of July 2026, Switzerland ranked sixth among European investors and 20th among 153 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, with 244 valid projects totaling approximately USD 2.5 billion in registered capital.
The two sides have also actively advanced negotiations on a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The negotiations concluded on July 2, 2026, after 14 years. The agreement is expected to create new opportunities for trade and investment, promote sustainable development and provide fresh momentum for economic cooperation between Viet Nam and EFTA, including Viet Nam-Switzerland economic ties.
Building on the 55-year foundation of traditional friendship, Viet Nam and Switzerland have substantial potential to make their cooperation more substantive and effective. Under the Joint Statement on the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership in January 2025, the two countries are expected to further consolidate political trust, promote trade and investment, and make science and technology, innovation and finance new drivers of development.
President Guy Parmelin’s visit is expected to help strengthen mutual trust between the two countries’ leaders and peoples and turn existing commitments and cooperation potential into concrete and measurable results. The visit will also provide an opportunity to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest and further advance the Viet Nam-Switzerland Comprehensive Partnership.
With a firm foundation of friendship and political trust built over 55 years, the official visit by President Guy Parmelin is expected to be a success, creating fresh momentum for deeper, broader and more effective bilateral cooperation and bringing practical benefits to the two countries and their peoples.
Translated by Minh Anh