Swiss President Guy Parmelin is set to visit Vietnam on October 17–18, accompanied by his spouse, Caroline Parmelin. The visit is a response to an invitation from Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly. This visit highlights the strengthening of diplomatic ties between Switzerland and Vietnam as they approach the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026.
The relationship between the two nations was elevated to a comprehensive partnership in January 2025, laying the groundwork for expanded cooperation across various sectors. During his visit, President Parmelin will engage in talks with President To Lam and meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man. These discussions are anticipated to focus on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation.
Economic collaboration is a crucial component of the Swiss-Vietnamese partnership. Last year, bilateral trade surpassed US$1 billion, with Switzerland ranking among the major European investors in Vietnam. This visit is expected to further promote trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
In addition to economic matters, Switzerland and Vietnam also collaborate in education, vocational training, labor, science, technology, and innovation. The visit by President Parmelin is anticipated to strengthen these diplomatic engagements and foster further opportunities for cooperation in these areas.