Vietnam one of most promising markets for Czech businesses in S.E Asia: Ambassador

Czech Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek talks to Viet Nam News prior to the visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, to Vietnam from April 20-22.
Vietnam one of most promising markets for Czech businesses in S.E Asia: Ambassador ảnh 1Czech innovation firms are eager to cooperate with Vietnamese partners (Photo: vneconomy.vn)
Hanoi (VNA)- Czech Ambassador HynekKmonicek talks to Viet Nam News prior to the visit of the PrimeMinister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, to Vietnam from April 20-22.

Following is the fulltext of the interview.

What will be the main focus of Prime Minister Petr Fiala's visit to Vietnam andhow do you think it will contribute to strengthening the relationship betweenthe Czech Republic and Vietnam?

The main focus of Prime Minister Petr Fiala's visit to Vietnam is tostrengthen the relationship between the Czech Republic and Vietnam. This visitwill contribute to enhancing trade, investment, cultural, and people-to-peopleexchanges between the two countries.

The relationship between Czech and Vietnamese people has been exceptionalsince it began over seven decades ago. Could you please share your assessmentof the results of the bilateral relationship in recent years?

The Czech Republic has been gradually gaining more importance in theVietnamese market over the years. Vietnam is now one of the most promisingmarkets for Czech businesses in Southeast Asia due to its large population,rapid economic growth, and favourable investment environment. The Vietnamese Government has implemented various policies to improve the investmentclimate and attract foreign investment.

The most promising sectors for Czech businesses in Vietnam aremanufacturing, tourism, and technology. Vietnam has a large and youngworkforce, which is a key advantage for the manufacturing sector. Additionally,the country is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination, andCzech businesses could tap into this growing market. In terms of technology, Vietnam hasa highly skilled workforce in the field of information technology, and there isgreat potential for Czech businesses to collaborate with Vietnamese partners inthis sector.

Vietnam one of most promising markets for Czech businesses in S.E Asia: Ambassador ảnh 2Czech Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
What are your views on Vietnam's investment environment for Czechbusinesses? What can Vietnam do or adjust to attract more investment fromthe Czech Republic? What areas do you think hold the most potential for Czechbusinesses in Vietnam?

Vietnam has made significant progress in improving its investmentenvironment in recent years, although there is still room for improvement. Toattract more investment from the Czech Republic, Vietnam could consideradjusting its legal and regulatory frameworks to make them more transparent andpredictable.

In addition, Vietnam could work to improve its infrastructure andlogistics to make it easier for Czech businesses to operate in the country.Sectors with the most potential for Czech businesses in Vietnam includemanufacturing, tourism, and technology.

For example, Vietnam's manufacturing sector benefits from a large and youngworkforce, while its tourism industry has been growing rapidly in recent years.In the technology sector, Vietnam has a highly skilled workforce and acompetitive IT industry, making it an attractive destination for Czechbusinesses looking to collaborate in this field.

By addressing these issues, Vietnam can continue to attract moreinvestment from the Czech Republic and deepen their economic ties.

The cooperation in education between Vietnam and the Czech Republicdates back to 1956 when around 100 Vietnamese schoolchildren were sent toChrastava in the Liberec region. How has cooperation in this field developed inrecent years, and what potential do you see for further collaboration ineducation between our two countries in the future?

Cooperation in education between Vietnam and the Czech Republic hascontinued to flourish in recent years. The two countries have deepened theirties through various academic exchanges, research partnerships, and jointdegree programmes. Vietnamese students are increasinglychoosing the Czech Republic as a destination for higher education, and thenumber of Czech students studying in Vietnam is also on the rise.

During the Prime Minister’s visit, the Czech Republic and Vietnam willsign a Letter of Intent on educational cooperation, which aims in future tofurther strengthen collaboration between the two countries in this field.

Furthermore, there is potential for increased cooperation in vocationaleducation and training. The Czech Republic has a strong vocational educationsystem, and Vietnam could benefit from learning from the Czech experience inthis field.

Since becoming the Ambassador to Vietnam in 2022, what has impressedyou the most about the country?

Since becoming the Ambassador to Vietnam in 2022, I have beenimpressed by the country's natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture.The people of Vietnam are friendly and welcoming, and the country has madesignificant progress in economic development./.
VNA

See more

At the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers discuss facilitation of acquiring, regaining Vietnamese nationality

The draft Law on amendments and supplements to certain articles of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality consists of three articles, focusing on two major policies, including the relaxation of conditions related to acquiring Vietnamese nationality for individuals whose biological father, mother, paternal grandparents, or maternal grandparents are Vietnamese citizens.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Thammasak Sethaudom, Chairman and CEO of SCG. (Photo: VNA)

PM hosts leaders of seven Thai leading corporations

In the spirit of “harmonious benefits and shared risks”, the Vietnamese Government will always accompany and create a favourable investment environment for Thai businesses to operate successfully in Vietnam.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong (right) receives Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese President welcomes Thai Prime Minister

President Luong Cuong described the resumption of the Joint Cabinet Retreat between the two countries’ PMs after a nearly-nine-year hiatus as a demonstration of both sides’ resolve to foster extensive, substantive, and effective cooperation.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (front, third from left) and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra (front, second from left) at the business forum in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Thai PMs co-chair business forum in Hanoi

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is actively addressing obstacles faced by Thai enterprises related to taxes, electricity, digital payments, administrative procedures, and capital access.

CPV General Secretary To Lam (right) receives Prime Minister of Thailand and leader of the Pheu Thai Party Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Party leader receives Thai Prime Minister

The upgrade of Vietnam - Thailand ties to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a historic milestone heralding a new chapter of the two countries’ relations and meeting their development demand in the new period, said Party General Secretary To Lam.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria and Senegal Tran Quoc Khanh (centre) in a group photo at a recent annual Ambassador's Vovinam Cup held in Senegal. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Senegal enhance cooperation across key sectors

In the first four months of 2025, Vietnam’s exports to Senegal stood at 43.43 million USD, nearly equalling the total for 2024 (43.91 million USD). Vietnam mainly exports rice, pepper, agricultural products, and components, while its imports from Senegal include raw cashew nuts, fishmeal, seafood, and cotton.

Professor Archana Upadhyay from the School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. (Photo:VNA)

Potential to promote Vietnam – Nepal trade

The Vietnam-Nepal relationship is primarily centred on religion, education, people-to-people exchange, business, trade, and investment, Upadhyay said, noting people-to-people diplomacy forms the foundation of this relationship.