President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Dutch Ambassador Elsbeth Akkermann at the meeting in Hanoi on July 12 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted receptions in Hanoi on July 12 for outgoing ambassadors of the Netherlands and Switzerland to Vietnam.
Receiving Dutch Ambassador Elsbeth Akkermann, Phuc hailed her important contributions to strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership. The Netherlands is a leading trade partner and the biggest EU investor in Vietnam.
He took the occasion to thank the Netherlands for providing 1 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and medical equipment and supplies worth 43 billion VND (1.83 million USD) to help his country drive back the pandemic.
Ambassador Akkermann said that there remains room for the two countries’ trade cooperation, especially with the Vietnamese economy is developing rapidly.
Vietnam is attractive to Dutch investors because its people are very friendly and have aspirations of sustainable socio-economic development in the country, she stressed.
She pledged to exert efforts, in any positions, to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.
As the two countries will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023, President Phuc requested Dutch agencies and the Dutch Embassy to closely coordinate with Vietnamese partners to implement commemorative activities.
Regarding the East Sea issue, he expressed his hope that the Netherlands and EU countries will continue to strongly support the stances of ASEAN and Vietnam on maintaining peace, stability and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of the rule of law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber in Hanoi on July 12 (Photo: VNA)
Welcoming Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, President Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its collaboration with Switzerland, and remembers the country’s valuable support for its past struggle for national liberation and current nation building and development cause.
He thanked the ambassador for coordination to successfully organise his official visit to Switzerland in November 2021, and appreciated the diplomat for connecting many Swiss businesses to invest in Vietnam.
Ambassador Sieber said he wishes more Swiss businesses to invest in Vietnam, and for more Vietnamese products to be sold in the Swiss market.
He committed to maintaining efforts to boost bilateral relations, especially in economics and trade.
President Phuc proposed Switzerland speed up the completion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to open new opportunities for investment and businesses in Vietnam, particularly in finance-banking, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, farm produce processing, and tourism.
He thanked Switzerland for providing ODA worth 600 million USD for Vietnam in the 1991-2021 period, saying that he hopes to continue receiving ODA in training, urban and rural development, and poverty reduction./.
A business forum was held in Can Tho city on April 8, offering chances for Vietnamese and Dutch firms to meet and share innovation solutions and the Netherlands’ experience in water, agriculture and logistics for sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.
Vice Chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc He had a working session with the Dutch Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Daniel Stork on May 10, during which the two sides discussed ways to boost cooperation in infrastructure development, climate change adaptation, and hi-tech agriculture.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Switzerland has promoted trade and investment in the cities of Zurich and Lugano in two separate events held earlier this month with the help of local authorities and corporations Fidinam Group and Bellecapital Group which are doing business in Vietnam.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception on June 28 for Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Switzerland Philipp Rosler and a Swiss business delegation who are visiting Vietnam to seek opportunities for trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Germany and Switzerland.
Vietnam and Switzerland should further promote all-around cooperation towards pushing the bilateral relations to a new height, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis told Vietnamese Ambassador to the European country Phung The Long.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Dutch Ambassador Elsbeth Akkermann at the meeting in Hanoi on July 12 (Photo: VNA) 
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber in Hanoi on July 12 (Photo: VNA) 
