Vietnam Day 2025 in Switzerland: Turning words into actions

It featured four discussions on key issues such as the Vietnam- Switzerland comprehensive partnership, Vietnam’s international financial centre, digital transformation and innovation, and global human resources and expansion of markets.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Phung The Long speaks at the Vietnam Day 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Phung The Long speaks at the Vietnam Day 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Geneva (VNA) - The Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland and the Switzerland – Vietnam Economic Forum (SVEF) jointly organised the Vietnam Day 2025 at the University of Zurich on June 23.

The event brought together senior officials, business leaders, and academic experts from both sides. It featured four discussions on key issues such as the Vietnam- Switzerland comprehensive partnership, Vietnam’s international financial centre, digital transformation and innovation, and global human resources and expansion of markets.

In the first session, Chairman of the SVEF Dr. Philipp Rösler raised a question how the two countries turn words into actions, specifically by building credible economic corridors and effectively implementing initiatives under the Vietnam- Switzerland comprehensive partnership.

Responding to this, Vice Director of the University of St. Gallen Stefan Legge stressed the importance of building rule-based action plans. He said the event was a valuable opportunity for businesses of both countries to expand their networks while gaining insights into each other’s legal frameworks.

Natalie Rast, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations Asia/Oceania at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, said that amid global economic uncertainties, there is an urgent need for renewed political will. Pushing forward a free trade agreement (FTA) is not only an economic need, but also a commitment to an open, rules-based international trade order.

She expressed her optimism given the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in clean energy, pharmaceuticals, port development, and education, and looked forward to concrete steps in the near future.

The second session shifted focus to Vietnam’s ambition to develop an international financial centre. Moderated by Son Nguyen, CEO of Aquis Fund, the discussion explored legal frameworks, fintech innovation, sustainable finance, and cross-border capital flows.

vna-potal-vietnamday-2025-to-chuc-thanh-cong-tai-thuy-si-160306672-8110542.jpg
Representatives from businesses at the Vietnam Day 2025 in Switzerland. (Photo: VNA)

Lawyer Phung Anh Tuan of VCI Legal shared that his firm is working to help foreign investors, including Swiss enterprises, better understand Vietnam’s new laws and regulations. Investors care deeply about how legal systems function, and VCI Legal is ready to act as a bridge, he said.

In the third session, participants explored digital transformation and industrial innovation with discussions on the role of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, and bilateral research and development (R&D) projects.

Vietnamese tech firms like FPT and MIT Solutions attracted strong interest for future collaboration and presence in Switzerland.

The final panel addressed global talent development and market expansion, examining how companies can strengthen cross-border capabilities in the competitive digital economy.

The Vietnam Day 2025 served not only as a milestone in the bilateral relations but also as a launchpad for shaping the next chapter of Vietnam–Switzerland cooperation amid expanding global partnerships.

At the event, participating parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation./.

VNA

See more

Passengers queue for handling immigration procedures at Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son province. (Photo: VNA)

Cross-border tourism, trade rebound at Huu Nghi int’l border gate

Statistics show that over 1.24 million people have completed immigration procedures at the Huu Nghi International Border Gate since January, including more than 430,000 with passports (up 5.8%) and over 810,000 with travel permits (up 22.5%). Most travellers are Chinese and Vietnamese citizens crossing for tourism, family visits, or business purposes.

Hai Phong City administrative centre. (Photo: diendandoanhnghiep.vn)

ABAC meeting expected to help Hai Phong promote image

Six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) will be signed in the fields of infrastructure and urban development on this occasion. In addition, Hai Phong will grant investment licences to 23 major projects with a total registered capital of approximately 15 billion USD.

Delegates at the conference in Hanoi on July 9. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)

Inflation pressure in H2 to be driven by exchange rates, credit: experts

Inflationary pressure in the second half of 2025 would remain moderate, as factors driving prices up and down are expected to balance each other out. Assuming the CPI rises by an average of 0.27% per month, matching the average increase in the last six months of the 2015-24 period, the average inflation rate for 2025 is forecasted at 3.4%.

Foreign visitors at Vietnam's booth at Source Fashion London (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese products make mark at Europe’s largest fashion, textile fair

Le Dinh Ba, Trade Counsellor at the Vietnam Trade Office, said the national pavilion enabled small- and medium-sized enterprises to participate by sending products and catalogues. The exhibition offered a valuable platform for Vietnamese businesses to showcase their capabilities, connect with buyers, and build long-term trade relationships.

Preferential tariff policy aims to support domestic vehicle manufacturers and assemblers, particularly those producing environmentally friendly models. (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)

Auto enterprises to enjoy preferential import tariff policies

The new decree, which took effect on July 8, 2025, revises the minimum production volume criteria for enterprises seeking to benefit from preferential import tariffs on automotive components under the preferential tariff programme. This policy aims to support domestic vehicle manufacturers and assemblers, particularly those producing environmentally friendly models.

The small-sized banking group is forecast to have notable deals in changing the stock exchanges in H2 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Small banks forecast to lead growth in H2

The small-sized banking group is expected to have the strongest growth rate of up to 35% thanks to boosting real estate credit from a low base and starting to accelerate bad debt handling.

Aerial view of cleared land and ongoing demolition at the site of HCM City's Metro Line 2 project. (Photo: thesaigontimes.vn)

Vietnam halts use of German ODA loans for HCM City metro line

The first phase of HCM City's Metro Line No. 2, stretching 11.3km with 10 underground and one elevated station, was approved in 2010 with an estimated cost of 26 trillion VND (994 million USD). That figure was revised to nearly 47.9 trillion VND (1.8 billion USD) in 2019 after delays and cost escalations.

Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies Tran Luu Quang (right) meets with President of AES Vietnam Oliver Marquette on July 9, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam pledges support for AES investment in green energy

Tran Luu Quang, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies, praised AES’s investment performance in Vietnam in recent years and welcomed its long-term commitment, particularly in the field of green and clean energy that supports the country's development and energy transition.