Decoding the news. Vietnam is today Italy’s top supplier within ASEAN (accounting for roughly 40% of imports from the region).
- With GDP growth above 7% and a population exceeding 100 million, Rome sees Hanoi as a critical node in the emerging global supply chains and a strategic partner in Asia.
- A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has bound the two countries since January 21, 2013, when the relationship was elevated to the highest level of diplomatic reciprocity during the historic visit to Italy by the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong.
By the numbers:
- €6 billion+: Italy-Vietnam trade in 2023.
- +26%: growth of Italian exports to Vietnam in 2024.
- +11.5%: increase in bilateral trade in the first months of 2025.
- 150+: Italian companies already operating in Vietnam.
What’s on the table. During her meeting with Vice Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, Tripodi highlighted key elements of the partnership.
- Growth diplomacy: Tripodi emphasised Minister Tajani’s push to expand cooperation in renewable energy, infrastructure, agritech, and agri-food.
- Defence: a technical agreement on defence industry cooperation is underway. “Vietnam is an important partner for our defence and security industry,” Tripodi noted.
- Culture: ongoing negotiations aim to open cultural centres in both countries.
- Technology: Italy’s focus is also on semiconductors, AI, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals, with a desire to integrate into Asia’s value chains.
The political POV. “Vietnam is an important partner for our defence and security industry, and leading Italian companies are ready to provide cutting-edge solutions within the framework of growing bilateral cooperation,” Tripodi said.
The context. The Hanoi meeting fits into a broader Indo-Pacific strategy. On September 4 and 5, the Italian Foreign Ministry organised Business Forums in Vietnam and South Korea, enhancing Rome’s footprint in Asia with targeted sectoral focuses (agritech and infrastructure in Hanoi; semiconductors and automotive in Seoul).
What we’re watching. Italy and Vietnam will hold the next round of Political Consultations in Rome in March 2026.
- These will address strategic issues under the 2025–2027 action plan, with trade, security, and industrial cooperation set to remain the pillars of a deepening partnership.
