ASEAN-Italy Economic Cooperation: Vietnam Affirms Its Role as a Strategic Bridge Between Southeast Asia and Europe

On November 13, the 9th ASEAN-Italy High-Level Dialogue on Economic Relations took place in Ho Chi Minh City. Party Central Committee Secretary and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung attended online and delivered a speech at the opening session.

The event was co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in collaboration with The European House - Ambrosetti (TEHA), Associazione Italy-ASEAN, the ASEAN Secretariat and Becamex Group, attracting more than 500 high-ranking delegates, ministers, experts and businesses from ASEAN countries and Italy.

The forum was attended by more than 500 delegates including leaders of ministries, branches, localities, international organizations, diplomatic agencies, businesses and scholars from ASEAN countries and Italy.

The forum includes five in-depth working sessions, focusing on key topics such as ASEAN-Italy economic- geopolitical prospects, green industry and clean energy development, enhancing infrastructure-logistics connectivity, promoting high-quality agriculture-food, Industry 5.0 and innovation ecosystem.

Discussions also focused on expanding investment flows between the two regions, especially in high technology and advanced manufacturing.

Party Central Committee Secretary and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung attended online and delivered a speech at the opening session. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Party Central Committee Secretary and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung affirmed that the event is not only an economic forum, but also a vivid expression of the long-term cooperation vision between ASEAN and the European Union (EU) in general, and Italy in particular.

The Minister hopes that the program will not only be a forum for policy exchange and idea connection, but also the beginning of practical cooperation initiatives and projects, contributing to opening a new phase of cooperation.

According to Minister Le Hoai Trung, Italy is Europe's leading industrial country and plays an important role as a bridge between the EU and ASEAN.

Italy's official admission as an ASEAN Development Partner has opened a new phase of deeper cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia in the context of a global economic order reshaping.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc and other leaders attended the opening session of the ASEAN-Italy High-Level Economic Dialogue Forum on the morning of November 13. (Source: SGGP)

As an active, dynamic and responsible member of ASEAN, Vietnam always accompanies the region on the path of integration and sustainable development. Vietnam is proud to be Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN, and at the same time a strategic destination for European investors - a place where trust, opportunities and potential for long-term cooperation converge.

Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized: "Ho Chi Minh City - a global metropolis of Southeast Asia, is gradually affirming its role as an international financial, science - technology and innovation center of Vietnam. The High-Level Dialogue Forum on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations 2025 held in Binh Duong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City has special significance.

This event not only marks the expansion of geographical and administrative space, but also a step forward in development thinking, demonstrating the vision of restructuring economic space towards connecting people, technology and knowledge. This is a vivid symbol of the values ​​that Vietnam always preserves, promotes and spreads in relations with international friends."

Looking to the future, the Foreign Minister stressed that Vietnam is committed to maintaining a transparent, stable investment environment that encourages innovation, while affirming its role as a strategic bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe, in which Italy is a reliable partner of the region.

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta speaks at the opening session. (Source: SGGP)

At the opening ceremony, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta delivered her opening speech on behalf of Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi.

The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed that this forum is a testament to the increasingly important role that Italy plays in the Southeast Asian region.

In economic cooperation, ASEAN-Italy relations have reached a significant level. Total trade turnover between Italy and ASEAN in 2024 will reach about 23 billion euros (26.6 billion USD). Of which, trade turnover between Italy and Vietnam will reach 6.9 billion USD, up 13.4% over the same period.

According to the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the main strength of Vietnam-Italy economic relations lies in trade complementarity. Italy provides high-quality intermediate goods such as fabrics, leather and yarn to support Vietnam's manufacturing industry. In return, Vietnam exports finished garments and footwear to Italy.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc speaks at the opening session. (Photo: SGGP)

Representing the Ho Chi Minh City Government, Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, delivered a welcome speech emphasizing that the city is oriented towards development according to the model of "3 regions - 1 special zone - 3 corridors - 5 pillars".

The five strategic pillars include: high-tech industry; logistics and seaports; international financial center; tourism and cultural industry; and education, healthcare, and science and technology.

Ho Chi Minh City aims to become an international megacity of Southeast Asia, ranked in the top 100 livable cities globally by 2045.

According to statistics, Italy is currently Vietnam's third largest trading partner in the EU. In the first seven months of 2025, two-way trade turnover reached 4.3 billion USD, up 5.1% over the same period in 2024.

Italy has 162 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of more than 624 million USD, while Vietnam has 11 projects in Italy with a total capital of nearly 700,000 USD.

At the end of the opening session, the leaders of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City called on businesses, investors and international organizations to join hands for a peaceful, creative and prosperous future, contributing to the sustainable development of ASEAN, Vietnam and Italy.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hop-tac-kinh-te-asean-italy-viet-nam-khang-dinh-vai-tro-cau-noi-chien-luoc-giua-dong-nam-a-va-chau-au-334278.html