The EFTA states and Vietnam began negotiations on a free trade agreement in 2012. Following a lengthy hiatus, talks resumed last September and significant progress has been made in key areas since then. The aim is to reach a comprehensive agreement that will further enhance trade and economic cooperation between the contracting parties.
The EFTA/EU delegation attaches great importance to the ongoing negotiations. The visit by the EFTA Parliamentary Committee to Vietnam from 20 to 24 April should therefore be used to emphasise, at parliamentary level, the importance of an ambitious and balanced agreement, and to provide political impetus for the successful conclusion of the negotiations.
The free trade agreement is intended to strengthen economic ties between EFTA and Vietnam and to promote trade and investment between the contracting parties. It is expected to cover key issues such as trade in goods and services, rules of origin, trade facilitation, investment and sustainability considerations.
Vietnam is one of the most dynamic economies in South-East Asia and is gaining global prominence as a manufacturing and investment hub. For Switzerland, the country represents an important growth market. Bilateral trade volume stood at around CHF 2.9 billion in 2025, with imports from Vietnam and Swiss exports increasing significantly. Swiss companies also have a local presence: Swiss direct investment in Vietnam amounted to around CHF 1.5 billion in 2024; over 17,000 people were employed by Swiss firms in the country that year.
The programme for the working visit includes a number of meetings in Hanoi, Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh City. In Hanoi, talks are scheduled with representatives of the National Assembly, government bodies and the chief negotiators of the free trade agreement. Meetings with international organisations and business representatives will provide an opportunity for an in-depth exchange on how to assess Vietnam’s economic and political development. In Haiphong, a major industrial and logistics hub, the focus will be on company visits and discussions about industrial value chains. In Ho Chi Minh City, the delegation will meet with representatives from the business and academic sectors, as well as international organisations, amongst others.
The EFTA Parliamentary Committee regularly visits third countries with which EFTA is negotiating on the conclusion or further development of free trade agreements.
The EFTA/EU delegation will be represented on this working visit by its president, Council of States member Damian Müller (FDP, LU), National Council members Jon Pult (SP, GR) and Thomas Aeschi (SVP, ZG), and Council of States member Benedikt Würth (The Centre, SG).