Swiss President Guy Parmelin, accompanied by his wife Caroline Parmelin, is set to visit Vietnam on October 17–18, marking a significant moment as the two nations prepare to commemorate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026. The visit, at the invitation of Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, underlines the growing ties between Switzerland and Vietnam, which were elevated to a comprehensive partnership in January 2025.
The agenda for President Parmelin’s visit includes talks with President To Lam, meetings with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, and National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man. These discussions are expected to focus on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring expanded cooperation in various sectors.
Economic collaboration remains a cornerstone of the Switzerland-Vietnam partnership. Last year, bilateral trade surpassed US$1 billion, with Switzerland ranking as one of the key European investors in Vietnam. The visit is anticipated to bolster these economic ties further, promoting additional trade and investment opportunities.
Beyond economics, the two countries also engage in mutual cooperation in education, vocational training, labor, science, technology, and innovation. The visit by President Parmelin is expected to reinforce these diplomatic engagements and lay the groundwork for further collaborative endeavors.