Vietnam hopes to receive more Swiss assistance in COVID-19 vaccine access
Vietnam hopes to receive more Swiss assistance in COVID-19 vaccine access: FM
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son proposed Switzerland continue to assist Vietnam in getting access to COVID-19 vaccine supplies, treatment medicines and necessary medical equipment during his talks with Swiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis in Hanoi on August 5.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) welcomes Swiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son proposedSwitzerland continue to assist Vietnam in getting access to COVID-19 vaccine supplies,treatment medicines and necessary medical equipment during his talks withSwiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis in Hanoi onAugust 5.
Welcoming the guest to Vietnam, Son said the visit,which is taking place from August 4-6 in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary ofdiplomatic ties between the two countries, will contribute to promoting thebilateral relations.
He thanked the Swiss Government for continuing to prioritise the provision ofOfficial Development Assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in the future, focusing mainlyon environmental protection and economic reform.
The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations and meetings, and those between ministries, sectors and localities.
They committed to creating a favourable environment forenterprises of the two countries to expand investment and business in eachother's markets, and share efforts to soon conclude the negotiation of a FreeTrade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)in order to create strong impetus for bilateral trade and investmentexchanges.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Son thanked theSwiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for donating 500,000 quick COVID-19test kits, 300,000 antibacterial masks and 30 oxygen machines with atotal value of about 117 billion VND (5.1 million USD) to Vietnam.
Cassis expressed his belief that Vietnamwill soon recover from the pandemic and agreed that the two countries need tocontinue to share experiences in COVID-19 prevention and control as well as roadmap of openingup and recovering the economy, and strengthen bilateral cooperation inhealthcare, especially the technology transfer of COVID-19 vaccines and treatmentdrugs.
Also at the talks, the two officials agreed to continue cooperationand strengthen mutual support at multilateral forums and internationalorganisations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.
The Swiss official affirmed his support for ASEAN's central role inregional structures. He also congratulated Vietnam on successfully assuming its role as Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and thanked the nation for acting as a bridge to bolster theSwitzerland - ASEAN partnership.
The two ministers emphasised the importance of complyingwith international law, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight,security and peace in the East Sea, in which the 1982 United Nations Conventionon the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the legal framework governing all activitiesat seas and oceans.
Son thanked and proposed the Swiss Government continue tocreate favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Switzerland tointegrate well, contribute positively to Switzerland's development and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries./.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Embassy of Switzerland last week signed a bilateral agreement for the new Swiss Bank Executive Training programme (Swiss BET) to help build the capacity of Vietnamese bank executives.
Business, trade and investment opportunities in Vietnam were introduced to businesses of Geneva and French-speaking states of Switzerland during a seminar in Geneva on July 20.
On the occasion of the National Day of Switzerland (August 1), the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the European country’s Vice President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, and the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Ivo Sieber wrote an article describing 2021 as a “very special” year for the Swiss-Vietnamese partnership. Following is the full text:
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hosted a reception on August 5 for Vice President and Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis, who is on an official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Switzerland diplomatic ties.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) welcomes Swiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis (Photo: VNA) 
