Vietnam, Italy develop SMART platform to expand online trade connectivity
The Italian Trade Agency in Vietnam announced on May 26 that it has teamed up with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the General Confederation of Italian Industry to set up the ASEAN Education and Business Programme (VELP 2023).
HCM City (VNA) – The Italian Trade Agency in Vietnam announced on May 26 that it has teamed up with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the General Confederation of Italian Industry to set up the ASEAN Education and Business Programme (VELP 2023).
VELP 2023, //asean.digital.ice.it/, is a useful portal built on the SMART 365 platform to facilitate direct and reliable connections between Vietnamese businesses seeking partners or suppliers in Italy.
Through VELP 2023, the two countries can access updated information on a greater number of firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises operating in various fields, including agricultural machinery and equipment, environment, mechanical engineering and renewable energy.
As a powerhouse in industry and machinery, Italy specializes in providing a wide range of high-quality products and advanced technological solutions. Currently, many Italian investors in the manufacturing industry are doing business successfully in Vietnam, namely Bonfiglioli (power transmission and gear motors), Piaggio (mechanical engineering and motorcycles), Danieli (steel production), Datalogic (barcode readers, sensors, mobile devices), Ariston (water heaters and energy equipment), ENI (oil and gas), and ENEL Green Power (renewable energy).
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties five decades ago and bilateral strategic partnerships a decade ago, Vietnam and Italy have become important partners in various fields.
Vietnam is now the biggest trade partner of Italy in ASEAN while Italy is the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam in the EU. More and more Vietnamese and Italian firms are showing interest in each other's markets and working to seek ventures in various areas./.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy is showcasing Vietnam’s fruits, vegetables and spices at the 40th Macfrut international trade fair in Rimini city in the Emilia Romagna region from May 3-5, within the framework of the Vietnam-Italy Year 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership.
With more than 5,000 books in Italian, Vietnamese, and other languages, the “Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam” Library in Todi, a city in the Italian region of Umbria, has become a destination for Italian and international visitors wishing to learn about Vietnam and its late leader.
President Vo Van Thuong on May 23 cabled a message of sympathy to his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella over human and property losses caused by torrential rains and floods in the country.
The Italian Embassy in Hanoi and the Hanoi Museum on May 25 opened an exhibition “Created in Italy - An aptitude for the impossible” on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
According to Mastercard data, Vietnam has recorded a remarkable 92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in contactless transaction volume from Q4 2022 to Q4 2024.
Tuan expressed his confidence that LH, with its expertise and experience, would swiftly implement the urban area project, contributing to a modern urban landscape for the province.
With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and modern infrastructure, Vietnam holds significant potential to become a leading centre for power and electronics production in the region and the world.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
A notable trend is the shift toward satellite regions. With land scarcity and soaring prices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, investors are eyeing provinces like Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, which are benefiting from improved technical infrastructure and transport connectivity.
To further strengthen private-sector innovation, Bac Ninh plans to accelerate administrative reforms, build a digital, service-oriented government, and develop an integrated innovation ecosystem that connects businesses with domestic and international institutions, universities, and experts.
The participation of H&M, one of the world's largest fashion corporations, in Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in early September is considered a special highlight, opening up many cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the fashion, textiles and sustainable supply chains.
This latest order builds on a previous agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 engines, bringing the total number of Trent 7000 engines ordered by the airline to 80.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged that despite concerted efforts by ministries and local authorities in combating fake and substandard goods, the situation remains highly complicated, attributing the persistent challenges to high profits luring numerous participants, increasingly sophisticated violations, limited resources within enforcement agencies.
The group also placed among the Top 5 energy companies in Southeast Asia and secured the top spot among the largest Vietnamese enterprises featured on the list.
The zone will cover 1,881 ha, comprising functional areas for production, logistics, trade and services, digital technology industry, information technology, and innovation.
Dung underlined several key objectives, including a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing SOEs, and called for updates that reflect international standards and support modern, transparent governance.
While the US market has become more difficult to access due to new tax policies, Australia could play the role of a trade cushion, helping to reduce shocks and maintain export momentum for Vietnam's shrimp industry.
Vietnam Cycle Expo 2025 will coincide with the Vietnam Sport Show 2025, an international exhibition on sports and outdoor entertainment, expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors in the three-day event.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
