Vietnam is currently Italy’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and Italy is Vietnam’s fourth largest EU partner. In 2022, the two-way trade turnover will reach more than 6 billion US dollars.

Celebrating the 77th National Day of the Italian Republic, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Mr. Vo Van Hoan said that the two countries of Vietnam and Italy celebrated February 23. officially established diplomatic relations in March 1973. Political relations between the two countries have been steadily strengthened and developed. Vietnam and Italy have intensified exchanges and promoted practical and effective cooperation in all areas: political, diplomatic, economic, scientific, educational, defense – security and environmental protection. Schools, connection places…

Economically, two-way trade turnover has nearly doubled from $3.5 billion to over $6 billion by 2022; Vietnam is Italy’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and Italy is Vietnam’s fourth largest EU partner.

Mr Hoan added that Ho Chi Minh City-Italy relations have achieved many important results so far, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, education, culture and tourism.

The year 2023 marks many outstanding events in Ho Chi Minh City-Italy relations, such as the Italian Wine Festival, the Italian Design Day and activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic relations. Ho Chi Minh City leaders are expected to visit Italy in October 2023 to concretize cooperation between the two sides and achieve stronger and more comprehensive development.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam, Mr. Enrico Padula, Consul General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the two countries had strengthened cooperation in the fields of science, economic development, and trade, commerce and culture . All contributed to increasing mutual understanding between the two peoples of Italy and Vietnam.

Many welcome activities were organized, such as: the visit of the Italian Navy ship after more than 20 years in Ho Chi Minh City; Promoting Italy’s leading sectors from fashion to food to design through Italian Food Weeks and Design Days in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as other sectors such as machinery, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

In 2022, trade with the Ho Chi Minh City region will reach $780 million, of which the export value to Vietnam is $376 million and Italy is $404 million.

The National Day celebrations will feature an exhibition spanning 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, recreating key moments in the period of bilateral relations between Vietnam and Italy.