According to a press release issued by the Swiss Government on June 12, 2026, the Swiss Government, also known as the Federal Council, approved on the same day in Bern the signing of a Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Partnership between Switzerland and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with the aim of expanding and restructuring bilateral relations between the two countries.

Vietnam is a priority partner of Switzerland in Southeast Asia, as identified in Switzerland’s Southeast Asia Strategy for the 2023 - 2026 period. The principle of establishing a comprehensive partnership was discussed during a high-level meeting between the two countries on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in January 2025.

Against the backdrop of steadily growing bilateral trade relations and Vietnam’s increasingly prominent international role, the comprehensive partnership is intended to strengthen political dialogue and deepen economic relations in a sustainable manner through a more effective framework.

The comprehensive partnership includes regular political consultations and high-level negotiations to ensure continuous dialogue and enhance bilateral coordination. It will also help improve conditions for economic relations, particularly by supporting efforts toward a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Vietnam, while also seeking to modernize the bilateral investment protection agreement.

Furthermore, the comprehensive partnership will promote the expansion of cooperation in education, science, research, innovation and technology. It will also encourage the development of economic partnerships in the fields of sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, digitalization, sustainable finance and intellectual property.

Finally, the comprehensive partnership will contribute to strengthening multilateral and regional cooperation, particularly within the framework of the UN, ASEAN and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. It reflects the determination of Switzerland and Vietnam to promote a rules-based international order, strengthen multilateralism, and cooperate in addressing global challenges, particularly issues related to regional security and sustainable development.

Switzerland’s Southeast Asia Strategy for the 2023-2026 period outlines a number of priority objectives and measures aimed at enhancing economic cooperation with Vietnam, including the following:

Switzerland and Vietnam will strengthen bilateral economic and scientific relations.

A comprehensive and modern FTA between EFTA member states and Vietnam will be concluded.

All available trade diplomacy and export promotion instruments will be coordinated and implemented.

Awareness will be raised and support will be provided to Swiss businesses in addressing legal uncertainties.

Capacity-based cooperation in education, research and innovation will be strengthened through the use of existing instruments.

Switzerland will contribute to the development of a competitive private sector in Vietnam.

Market-oriented economic conditions will be promoted.

Support will be provided to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improve their access to global markets.

Switzerland will contribute to sustainable development in Vietnam by integrating comprehensive sustainability provisions into the FTA between EFTA member states and Vietnam.

Sustainable urban development and resource-efficient production processes will be promoted.

The development of sustainable tourism will be supported.

Regular dialogue on labor and employment issues will be maintained.