Vietnam, Italy’s Lombardy region step up cooperative ties
Xuan suggested Lombardy establish partnerships with several Vietnamese localities and economic centres, and expressed her confidence that the new direct flight between Hanoi and Milan - the capital of Lombardy - will help strengthen cooperation between the two regions, cultures, and peoples.
State Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan at the meeting with President of the Lombardy Regional Government Attilio Fontana on July 1. (Photo: VNA)
Rome (VNA) – Vietnam has attached much importance to its Strategic Partnership with Italy and wants to deepen the bilateral relations in a substantive and effective manner across all areas, including cooperation between its localities and Lombardy region, State Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan has said.
At a meeting with President of the Lombardy Regional Government Attilio Fontana on July 1 as part of her working trip to the European country, Xuan highlighted the potential for enhancing collaboration in the domains of trade – investment and climate change response.
She suggested Lombardy establish partnerships with several Vietnamese localities and economic centres, and expressed her confidence that the new direct flight between Hanoi and Milan - the capital of Lombardy - will help strengthen cooperation between the two regions, cultures, and peoples.
Meanwhile, Fontana said that Xuan’s visit affirms Vietnam’s goodwill to promote the bilateral ties. Recalling memories from his visit to Vietnam in 2023, he praised the country’s reorganisation of administrative units and two-tier local administration model, describing these as crucial measures for the country's socio-economic development.
He believed that the Vietnam – Lombardy relations boast huge potential for further development, underscoring local enterprises’ keen interest in seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam. He also expressed his delight over the inauguration of the Hanoi – Milan direct flight during Xuan’s visit, which will facilitate trade and people exchanges between the two countries.
At the event, Xuan also engaged with extensive discussions from both delegations regarding measures to advance the Vietnam-Italy relations and cooperation between Vietnamese localities and the Lombardy region. The conversations encompassed diverse sectors including trade-investment, energy tra𝕴nsition, tourism, culture, international financial centre, education-training, science-technology, industry, digital transformation, and circular economy.
State Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan meets with the Vietnamese community and Italian friends. (Photo: VNA)
The same day, the Vietnamese leader had a meeting with the Vietnamese community and Italian friends on the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, during which she highlighted their crucial role in fostering the friendship and promoting multifaceted cooperation between the two nations./.
The two sides committed to expanding cultural exchanges, tourism promotion, science and technology collaboration, education and training, and people-to-people diplomacy. They also voiced support for stronger Vietnam–EU ties within EVFTA and EU Indo-Pacific initiatives.
To elevate bilateral relations to new heights, Vietnam and Italy should strengthen exchanges at all levels, especially high level; identify key and prioritised contents to boost economic, trade, and investment ties; enhance defence and security cooperation; boost cultural, educational and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges; and develop local-level partnerships.
VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said that Vietnam identifies Italy as one of the key markets in Europe. Italian tourists are famous for their refined aesthetic taste, deep understanding of culture, art and history and for their passion for discovering original values and sophistication in experiences.
Continuing to restructure the apparatus, streamline organisational units, and clearly define functions, responsibilities, and focal agencies is an urgent requirement for building a modern administrative system that truly serves the people and enterprises.
Vietnam and Malaysia will enhance partnerships in agriculture, fisheries, food security, energy, oil and gas, and power transmission among ASEAN countries. Cooperation will also be expanded to the fields of digital economy, circular economy, and green economy.
PM Pham Minh Chinh's activities in Brazil, Vietnam's economic performance in the first half of 2025, and the country advancing to the final round of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup are among news highlights last weekend.
Considering the dialogue an opportunity to introduce Vietnam’s efforts and achieved results, the Vietnamese delegation will participate in the session with an open, sincere, cooperative, and constructive spirit.
PM Chinh affirmed that the two countries have great potential to develop agricultural cooperation on the basis of having a large market, complementary strengths and the prospect of being soon connected by free trade agreements.
PM Chinh asserted Vietnam's strong commitment and active contributions to the common efforts to promote peace, cooperation and development, promoting the role of Southern countries in global governance institutions, at the same time, demonstrating Vietnam's support and contributions to the success of BRICS during Brazil's presidency.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed deep appreciation for the affection the Brazilian people and nation have extended to President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam. The leader noted his belief that, building on the strong ties between Vietnam and Brazil, the present and future generations of both countries will continue to carry forward the values and legacy left by President Ho Chi Minh and previous generations.
The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence supports deeper cooperation between the two militaries, Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang affirmed, expressing his hope that they will further strengthen effective collaboration, thus contributing to each country's national defence and the Vietnam – Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the time ahead.
PM Pham Minh Chinh will have bilateral meetings with leaders of the participating countries and organisations, thereby affirming Vietnam's role, wish, and responsible contributions to this multilateral mechanism while further deepening Vietnam’s cooperation with BRICS members and international organisations.
The Vietnamese Party and State leaders reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently regards the US as one of its strategically important partners, and welcomed the US support for a “strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam.”
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 4 sent a message of congratulations to Kim Min Seok on his appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK).
Vietnam values cooperative ties with ASEAN member states, including Thailand, for the sake of peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
teleSUR President Patricia Villegas stated that throughout its formation and development, teleSUR has always considered reporting on Vietnam one of its top priorities, particularly in regard to its history, culture, people, and the ideology and revolutionary cause of President Ho Chi Minh.
Provincial authorities must promptly allocate additional personnel to communes, wards and special areas which lack professional staff to ensure effective operations, the Party chief said.
This marks Vietnam’s first participation in a BRICS summit as a partner country, affirming its role, aspirations, and responsible contributions to this multilateral mechanism, and helping to further deepen cooperation between Vietnam and BRICS member states.
National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man has officially endorsed Resolution No. 205/2025/QH15 on piloting the People’s Procuracy's initiation of civil lawsuits to protect the civil rights of vulnerable groups or public interests.
Vietnam’s participation in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro at the inviation of Brazilian President Lula da Silva highlights the country's growing global role and sets the stage for deeper future cooperation, stated Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi ahead of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to Brazil for the summit and bilateral activities from July 4-8.
Becoming a partner country of BRICS is a step that fully aligns with the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of international relations that Vietnam has steadfastly pursued for nearly four decades.
