In Hanoi, the Italian Embassy on June 2 celebrated the 77th anniversary of Italy's National Day. Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet and President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization Nguyen Phuong Nga attended the event.

Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro speaks at the 77th anniversary of Italy's National Day. Photo: Nguyen Hong

Celebrating Italy's National Day, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro said that 2023 is a year with many milestones to celebrate the two countries' relations such as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership.

The relationship between Italy and Vietnam developed, reflecting in the exchange of delegations in all fields. Trade turnover between the two sides reached US$6.2 billion in 2022, the number of students and tourists between the two countries increased.

"We look forward to high-level visits in the near future to further promote the relations of the two countries," said Ambassador Antonio Alessandro.

Affirming the event is an opportunity to express gratitude to the Italian community in Vietnam, Ambassador Antonio Alessandro emphasized that the community made great contributions to the economic, cultural and social life of the host country.

Antonio Alessandro thanked Vietnamese leaders and agencies for sharing with people in Central Italy affected by recent floods. He also said that this action helped to strengthen the determination of the two sides in the fight against climate change. Italy is a strong supporter of JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership) in Vietnam.

Announcing the end of his term of office in Vietnam shortly, Ambassador Antonio Alessandro said that “It has been a wonderful experience for my wife, Paola and myself to serve in Vietnam. Vietnam will forever be in our hearts and minds”.

At the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said that celebrating National Day is an opportunity to remember the glorious and long history of Italy, its rich culture, art, cuisine and culture, world-class fashion, as well as the way Italy became an economic powerhouse and played an important role in global affairs.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet delivered a congratulatory speech on the National Day of the Italian Republic. Photo: Nguyen Hong

The Deputy Minister said that for two-thirds of the existence of modern Italy and Vietnam, the two sides have been friends and partners, there seems to be a natural connection between the two countries and the two peoples.

Although one country in Europe, the other in Asia, the two countries are different from the outside, in fact, Vietnam and Italy have a lot in common in communication, cuisine, and attach great importance to preserving history and customs.

For the Vietnamese, Italy has long been known for its football team in blue and the Tifosi (football fans - in Italian). Before Crash Landing on you, Homeland, or House of Cards, it was the movie Octopus with Inspector Cattani and La vita e bella that captivated the hearts of Vietnamese audiences.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, Ambassador of Italy Antonio Alessandro and President of the Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Phuong Nga raised glasses to congratulate Italy's National Day. Photo: Nguyen Hong

The past decades witnessed a strong development in the partnership between Vietnam and Italy. The two countries regularly met and interacted at all levels, especially high-level.

Italy is currently Vietnam's leading European trading partner and Vietnam is Italy's leading trade partner in ASEAN. Large corporations and Italian luxury brands are in Vietnam and successfully operated in this market.

However, according to Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet, there are many things the two sides can do more, as well as many opportunities that can be explored. The strong political trust, effective economic links, and close people-to-people exchanges that the two sides have built are the basis for believing that the strategic partnership will continue to develop further.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet expressed his belief that the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) will help promote trade and investment between the two countries. Vietnam will become a destination for more Italian investors, especially in the fields of renewable energy, infrastructure development, green economy and digital economy.

In particular, Vietnam will be a favorite destination for Italian tourists so they can enjoy Vietnamese culinary specialties such as Vietnamese spring rolls and beef noodle soup, just as Vietnamese enjoy pizza and pasta. At the same time, Vietnamese products such as fruits, seafood, coffee, fashion, footwear will be able to access the Italian market.

The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the two countries will cooperate more closely in the fields of security-defense, culture-education, science-technology, at bilateral and multilateral forums to address the global challenges facing the world today.

Long Pham / Vietnamtimes