Vietnam, Italy strengthen relations

This visit aims to step up the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy. Although the partnership was recently established in 2013, the two nations have actively taken part in various co-operation activities .

In 2013, during the official visit to Italy by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam and Italy officially established a strategic partnership, opening a new chapter of comprehensive co-operation. Last year, in his first trip after taking office, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi chose Vietnam as his first destination.

Vietnam and Italy are executing an action plan for the 2015-2016period/term. The two countries have set a trade turnover target of 5 billion US dollars for this year. Vietnam exports food and consumables to Italy and imports industrial products. The two nations are also encouraging cooperation between SMEs and regional links.

Le Hoang Quan, Chairman, HCM City People's Committee said: Italy and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as other parts of Vietnam, have had longstanding relations, but this is the first time the city has signed a cooperation agreement with Italy. This landmark will help realise many important agreements at the national level.

Vietnamese and Italian people are interested in each other's culture. The two countries have held regular cultural exchange activities. Besides, the sciences and university education are fields with great cooperation potential.

President Sergio Mattarella’s trip to Vietnam is the first official visit of an Italian President to the country. It will be an important boost for the strategic partnership between the two nations before the official signing of the Vietnam-EU FTA later this year.