Marina Sereni  Addressing a recent meeting hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy marking Vietnam’s National Day (September 2), Sereni noted that cooperation between the two countries has been broadened beyond trade and culture to education and tourism.  Italy and Vietnam set up their diplomatic ties in 1973.

They signed an agreement declaring their strategic partnership in 2013, which laid down a solid foundation for sounder mutual understanding and stronger economic cooperation, she said.  Over the past three years, bilateral trade doubled and Vietnam became Italy’s biggest trade partner in ASEAN. Vietnam is increasingly being favoured by Italian vacationers.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Cao Chinh Thien affirmed that the ties between Vietnam and Italy have been growing over years.  He informed about the upcoming State visit to Italy by President Tran Dai Quang and the visit to Vietnam by the President of the Senate of the Republic, which are among a series of visits to be exchanged by the two countries from now to the yearend.  Two-way trade between Vietnam and Italy reached US$4.3 billion in 2015. The two countries are striving for US$5 billion per year.