Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visits to Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as his attendance at the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and bilateral activities in Switzerland from January 15-23 conveyed a message of determination and aspiration to attract international resources to drive national development in a new era.
During the trip, Chinh had a hectic schedule, as he held talks and meetings with most of the high-ranking leaders of the State, Government, and Parliament of Poland and the Czech Republic, and held talks with the Swiss President.
A key outcome is that all the three European countries expressed a desire and agreed to upgrade and enhance their relations with Vietnam. Specifically, Vietnam and Poland aim to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership; Vietnam and the Czech Republic upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership; while Vietnam and Switzerland elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang stated that the agreements to elevate the level of relations between Vietnam and Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland hold historical significance, creating a breakthrough for Vietnam and these countries to enter a new phase.
PM Chinh and the leaders of the countries agreed on measures to create new momentum for cooperation in traditional areas such as trade, investment, tourism, education and training, defence and security, culture, tourism, and labour; and to expand collaboration into new ones such as digital transformation, green transition, information and communication technology, cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals, automotive industry, and aviation and railway connectivity. In particular, trade between Vietnam and Poland as well as the Czech Republic is set to increase to 5 billion USD per year, up from the current level of around 2 billion USD.
To quickly materialise these agreements and the desire to enhance cooperation, Chinh also engaged with leaders of various organisations, political parties, and friendship associations, and visited many cultural, scientific, and technological institutions in the countries. He chaired forums, dialogues, and meetings with leading businesses from these countries to encourage investment and promote trade between Vietnam and the respective countries. On this occasion, Vietnam and the three countries signed eight cooperation agreements in such areas as diplomacy, labour, aviation, education, sports, and culture.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated that the European countries highly value Vietnam's role and regard it as a leading strategic partner in the region and globally. They expressed their desire to elevate bilateral relations to a new, comprehensive, and effective level across various fields. Vietnam and these countries discussed and agreed on numerous important goals, tasks, and solutions in economic, trade, and investment cooperation.
Notably, the Government leader took time to visit businesses owned by Vietnamese people and met with embassy staffs and the Vietnamese communities in Poland and the Czech Republic. Chinh and his wife also joined them in Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) programmes.
At the WEF’s 55th Annual Meeting, PM Chinh had a packed schedule, as he participated in and delivered speeches at four discussion sessions, three of them exclusively designed by the WEF for Vietnam.
Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said that Vietnam has emerged as a remarkable example of how trade and investment can fuel inclusive growth and development.
Highlighting Vietnam's remarkable average annual economic growth rate of approximately 7% over the past three decades, she said Vietnam’s hosting of UNCTAD’s 16th session in October 2025 is highly anticipated.
On this occasion, the Vietnamese Prime Minister held meetings with nearly 20 leaders from various countries and international organisations. Together with leaders from ministries, sectors, and localities, he engaged in exchanges and dialogues with nearly 250 top economic groups in five separate discussion sessions.
According to Don Lam, CEO of VinaCapital Group, some investors he met this time expressed their desire and hope that Vietnam will further open its door to allow foreign businesses to bring technology into the country for investment, as it is currently politically stable and has an abundant workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Naga Chandrasekara, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Operations Officer of Intel Corporation, which has invested in Vietnam for over 15 years, stated that Vietnam has big opportunities in digital transformation and innovation, thanks to its young, abundant, and talented workforce. The ambitious vision, goals, and commitments of the Vietnamese government serve as a strong driving force, reflecting its high level of determination.
It can be affirmed that attending the WEF meeting, the PM and the Vietnamese delegation conveyed a strong message of sincerity, cooperation, solidarity, and responsibility toward the international community; and expressed the country’s readiness and desire to foster effective cooperation with partners.
The Government leader’s trip continues to implement and affirm Vietnam's foreign policy, and helps further deepen the country's relations with its partners, enhance its position and role, and highlight its responsible contributions to the global community./.
