Ho Chi Minh City, Italy deepen ties in trade, innovation, culture

At the event hosted by the Consulate General, deputy chairman of the municipal administration Tran Van Bay said the city remains committed to deepening cooperation with Italian partners in areas where both sides have complementary strengths and shared development priorities.

He said these areas include finance, green industry, renewable energy, logistics, innovation, and climate change response, adding that the city will continue to create favorable conditions for Italian diplomatic missions and businesses to operate and contribute to bilateral ties.

The official noted that Vietnam and Italy have developed increasingly substantive relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1973, elevating their partnership to a strategic level in 2013, with Ho Chi Minh City playing an active role in advancing practical cooperation between the two sides.

He also said the city seeks to further expand cooperation in education and culture, including Italian-language teaching and exchange programs for students, lecturers, and experts, alongside joint activities in arts, cuisine, fashion, sports, and tourism aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties.

Speaking at the ceremony, Italian Consul General Alessandra Tognonato said Italy highly values its relationship with Vietnam and sees significant potential to further broaden cooperation with the city in both established and emerging areas.

She noted that economic ties between the two countries continue to grow steadily, with bilateral trade reaching 6.9 billion euros (US$8 billion) in 2025 and maintaining positive momentum in early 2026.

Trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Italian partners also exceeded $800 million last year, while Italy currently has 92 foreign direct investment projects in the city with total registered capital of $279 million.

Beyond trade and investment, she highlighted innovation and technology as increasingly important pillars of future cooperation, describing them as areas where collaboration is developing in a natural and dynamic way.

According to her, universities and research institutions in both countries share a forward-looking approach, with strong support for young talent and close linkages between academia and industry, particularly in translating research into practical applications.

She pointed to aerospace and drone technology as promising areas for cooperation, where start-ups from both sides could complement each other and work toward shared objectives.

The consul general also emphasized cultural cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral relations, noting that Vietnam and Italy are long-standing civilizations that share a deep appreciation for beauty, creativity, and diversity.

She said cultural exchanges through music, design, fashion, and literature could further strengthen ties between the two societies, adding that living in central Ho Chi Minh City has deepened her connection with the local community and daily life.