Hanoi-Switzerland cooperation creates new opportunities in finance, trade

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi will step up exchanges of development experience with Swiss partners and localities, while opening up opportunities for cooperation in finance, the economy and trade.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang shared the view during a meeting with Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass on January 29.

At the meeting, Thang expressed his pleasure at the steady development of the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Switzerland over more than 50 years.

Within this framework, cooperation between localities has continued to deepen, highlighted by the official relationship between Geneva, the City of Peace, and Hanoi, as well as the close ties between Hanoi and the Swiss capital Bern.

Ambassador Thomas Gass thanked the city leaders for their warm reception and welcomed the positive outcomes of bilateral cooperation, particularly between cities and localities of the two countries.

Recalling the official visit to Vietnam by the President of the Swiss National Council in 2023, marked by the gift of three photographs of the 1954 Geneva Conference plenary session, a historic milestone for Vietnam, the ambassador said bilateral cooperation has become increasingly substantive through concrete local-level partnerships.

Gass noted that the renovation of the floral clock, a gift from the capital Bern to Hanoi on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long, has been completed and the landmark is now back in operation.

He proposed that both sides coordinate to organize an inauguration ceremony for the symbolic work in the near future.

Looking ahead to 2026, when Vietnam and Switzerland will mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Gass suggested organizing a Hanoi Jazz Festival as a diverse cultural event that could leave a positive impression on the public in both countries.

Welcoming the proposals, Hanoi’s Mayor Thang said they offer a meaningful opportunity for the two countries to honor their strong cooperative relationship.

He agreed to promote the inauguration of the floral clock in connection with the capital’s cultural events, turning it into a distinctive attraction for Hanoi.

Praising the idea of a Hanoi Jazz Festival, the chairman said the city is working to elevate its cultural industries and stands ready to coordinate and facilitate effective implementation. He assigned the Department of Culture and Sports to serve as the focal point for coordination with the Swiss side.

“The successful conclusion of the 14th National Party Congress has opened a new stage of development for the country. In this context, Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular seek to expand cooperation with international partners and friends to promote sustainable development,” Thang said.

According to Thang, Hanoi is developing a long-term vision through large-scale redevelopment programs aimed at building a green, clean, modern, smart and sustainable capital.

The city plans to mobilize international resources for infrastructure development and urban renewal, approve a new master plan in April and has recently launched the Red River Landscape Boulevard project to create a so-called “Red River Miracle.”

Against this backdrop, the chairman expressed his hope that Ambassador Gass would continue to act as a bridge, promoting exchanges of development experience between Hanoi and Swiss partners and localities while opening up more opportunities for cooperation in finance, the economy and trade.

“Hanoi is committed to creating favorable conditions for foreign enterprises, including Swiss companies, to invest and operate in the capital,” the chairman emphasized.

Welcoming Hanoi’s vision and development plans, Gass said Swiss financial institutions and businesses are showing strong interest in the Vietnamese market, particularly in Hanoi. In his role, he affirmed his readiness to listen and to connect Swiss businesses, experts and partners to contribute to the development of the capital.