Da Nang (VNA) - The Swiss–Viet Economic Forum 2025 officially opened in the central city of Da Nang on November 4 under the theme “Innovative Partnerships for Sustainable Growth,” aiming to transform high-level dialogue into practical cooperation.
The three-day forum, held from November 3 - 5, attracted nearly 400 domestic and international delegates, including leaders of government agencies and businesses, investors, academics, and ecosystem partners from Switzerland, Vietnam, Europe, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In his opening remarks, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass emphasised that Switzerland is proud to accompany Vietnam on its development journey and believes that, based on principles of trade openness, both sides will promote transparency in innovation-driven growth.
He expressed his confidence that the forum serves as a platform to promote commitments and share knowledge to strengthen their growing partnership.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang stated that the first session of the forum, held in Zurich in June 2024, laid the foundation for identifying priority areas of cooperation such as green transition, digital transformation, vocational training, and clean energy. The organisation of the forum in Da Nang demonstrates the shared determination of both sides to make economic collaboration more closely aligned with practical realities, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Switzerland is currently an important trade partner of Vietnam in Central Europe and its sixth-largest European investor in the country, Hang said, affirming that it is not only an economic partner but also a long-term companion that has helped Vietnam realise its goals of green development, innovation, and people-centred growth.
Philipp Rösler, SVEF President, shared that SVEF 2025 aims to turn strategy into action by aligning policies, capital flows, and knowledge to promote innovation and inclusive growth.
According to Ho Quang Buu, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, hosting the forum demonstrates the city’s strong commitment to international cooperation, sustainable development, and innovation-driven growth.
The biannual SVEF is a government-level initiative to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment, innovation, and education. After three successful editions in Zurich, this marks the first time the forum has been held in Vietnam, bringing collaboration closer to where implementation happens. This timing aligns with Vietnam’s priorities in developing an international financial centre, digital transformation, and green growth, while Switzerland offers strengths in finance, standards, research, and education.
Da Nang, as a dynamic city with strong logistics connectivity, a skilled digital workforce, and an innovation-friendly business environment, provides a neutral and forward-looking platform to connect Swiss and Vietnamese partners and expand collaboration along the Europe–ASEAN corridor./.
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