The trip is made at the invitation of IPU President Tulia Ackson and IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong.

This marks the first overseas mission by National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man since taking office in the 16th National Assembly.

Founded in 1889 in Paris and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Inter-Parliamentary Union is a global body that brings together the parliaments of sovereign states. With 181 members and 15 associate members, it serves as a central platform for parliamentary diplomacy, promoting peace, democracy and cooperation among nations.

Since joining the IPU in April 1979, Vietnam’s National Assembly has been an active and responsible member of the organization.

Participation in IPU activities remains a top priority in Vietnam’s multilateral parliamentary diplomacy. It enables the country to safeguard national interests, exchange perspectives on international issues, present its positions on global concerns and engage in bilateral meetings on the sidelines with partners where formal channels may be limited. These efforts contribute to enhancing the standing of both the National Assembly and Vietnam on the international stage.

Vietnam and Türkiye established diplomatic relations on June 7, 1978, and have since developed a multifaceted partnership. Türkiye is one of Vietnam’s leading trade partners in the Middle East and serves as a gateway for Vietnamese exports to the region and Southern Europe. Bilateral trade reached nearly US$2.3 billion in 2025, with Vietnam exporting over US$1.8 billion.

As of December 2025, Türkiye had 49 valid investment projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of nearly US$1.754 billion, ranking 24th among 146 countries and territories investing in Vietnam and second among Middle Eastern and African investors. Vietnam currently has one investment project in Türkiye in the service sector, valued at US$850,000.

Parliamentary relations between the two countries have continued to grow, with regular exchanges, consultations and cooperation at inter-parliamentary forums such as the IPU and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly. Both sides have also established friendship parliamentary groups.

Vietnam and Italy established diplomatic relations on March 23, 1973, with ties steadily strengthening over time. Since upgrading to a Strategic Partnership in January 2013, cooperation has expanded across politics, diplomacy, economy, science, education, defense, environmental protection and local connectivity.

In 2023, the two countries marked 50 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of their Strategic Partnership. Bilateral trade continued to rise, reaching approximately US$7.3 billion in 2025, up 6.2 percent year-on-year. Italy is Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner within the EU, while Vietnam is Italy’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Italy is also identified as a key and high-potential market in Vietnam’s tourism development strategy, given its expertise in heritage-based tourism. The two countries have strengthened cooperation in defense policy, military collaboration and defense industry development.

Cultural exchanges remain vibrant, with regular cultural weeks and thematic events held in both countries, including the “Year of Vietnam in Italy” and the “Year of Italy in Vietnam” during milestone anniversaries.

Currently, around 5,500 Vietnamese citizens live and work in Italy.

 
Tran Thuong