Amid notable progress in negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), cooperation between Viet Nam and Switzerland has continued to deliver tangible results across multiple sectors. Both sides are working to promote trade linked to climate change adaptation, contributing to sustainable development goals.
On March 17 in Hanoi, Standing Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung chaired a meeting with Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, to advance bilateral cooperation directions in the evolving context.
Expanding cooperation in green agriculture, standards and technology
According to Standing Deputy Minister Trinh Viet Hung, bilateral relations have developed positively in recent years, with concrete outcomes in trade, investment, and culture. Switzerland is currently the 20th-largest investor in Viet Nam, with planned investments of $50 million for the 2025–2028 period, focusing on trade, services, science and technology, and innovation.
As Viet Nam seeks to diversify markets and improve the quality of growth, Standing Deputy Minister Trinh Viet Hung emphasized that cooperation with Switzerland is expected to provide additional financial and technological resources, while contributing to the development of “green” and sustainable cooperation frameworks.
At the meeting, Standing Deputy Minister Trinh Viet Hung highlighted Switzerland’s experience in green economic development, particularly in smart agriculture, high technical standards, and environmental protection. As major markets such as the EU tighten technical requirements, building compatible standards systems between the two sides is considered a key factor.
On that basis, Viet Nam proposed stepping up cooperation programs in agriculture toward green, sustainable, and climate-resilient practices, while promoting innovation to effectively implement climate commitments and ensure a balance of interests.
Standing Deputy Minister Trinh Viet Hung also expressed hope for stronger linkages between government agencies and business communities of both countries, with expanded cooperation in economic affairs, trade and services, education, culture, and science and technology. One notable area under consideration is the establishment of a government-level cooperation framework on carbon credits and emissions reduction, providing a legal foundation for specific projects.
He added that bilateral cooperation programs are aimed not only at growth but also at building a sustainable development future, consistent with Switzerland’s position as a leading country in environmental standards and green development.
Both sides seek to finalize Viet Nam–EFTA FTA
The Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs commended Viet Nam’s role in maintaining balanced trade with major partners and acknowledged the country’s growing regional standing. According to Helene Budliger Artieda, the two economies are highly complementary: Switzerland has strengths in technology and innovation, while Viet Nam offers advantages in human resources and a market of more than 100 million people.
Swiss businesses are not only focused on exports but are increasingly expanding long-term investment in Viet Nam, viewing the country as a gateway to regional markets.
Regarding climate cooperation, Budliger Artieda affirmed Viet Nam’s potential for emissions reduction and emphasized the role of the private sector in implementing initiatives. Low-carbon trade is expected to become one of the key pillars of the FTA.
Both sides said remaining differences in the negotiations are limited and could soon be resolved. The 20th round of talks, scheduled for April, is expected to largely conclude the process, paving the way for formal signing. Switzerland expressed hope that the agreement could be signed in October 2026, on the occasion of a visit by the Swiss President.
Praising Viet Nam’s cooperative spirit and flexibility in addressing emerging issues in international trade, Budliger Artieda expressed confidence that the two sides would soon reach consensus. Once signed and implemented, the Viet Nam - EFTA FTA is expected to create new momentum for trade and investment, strengthen supply chains, and promote sustainable growth amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed decisions on personnel changes at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
Vietnam plans major cross-sector science and technology tasks to strengthen irrigation, water resources management and disaster prevention for 2026–2030.
The French Government has decided to confer the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, one of the highest honors of the French Republic, on Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan in recognition of his contributions to science, education and culture. He is Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Viet Nam and Norway are accelerating negotiations toward the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Green Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Building on effective cooperation and strong political trust, the proposed MoU is expected to establish a comprehensive legal framework to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in line with international commitments on green growth and sustainable development.
An exchange of notes for the project “Strengthening disaster and climate resilience for children through integrating disaster risk reduction education in Viet Nam” was signed on February 10 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The document was signed by Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Ito Naoki and UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam Silvia Danailov, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep, who delivered remarks at the ceremony.
