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| Secretary-General Rachel Nguyen Isenschmid (in pink)__Photo: VNA |
The Swiss–Vietnam Economic Forum (SVEF) has been closely following developments and preparations for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), said its Secretary-General Rachel Nguyen Isenschmid.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Switzerland, Isenschmid said that against a backdrop of global economic slowdown and subdued growth in many major economies, Vietnam’s ability to maintain macroeconomic stability and positive growth remains a remarkable achievement.
Over the past five years, Vietnam’s most impressive strength, in her view, has been its balanced approach combining macroeconomic stability with structural reforms. Key highlights include digital transformation linked to improvements in the investment climate and the attraction of high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI).
Digital transformation, she stressed, has not only enhanced the efficiency of state governance and increased administrative transparency, but has also created more favorable conditions for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to integrate more deeply into value chains. Vietnam’s continued strong appeal to FDI, especially in technology, green manufacturing, and processing and manufacturing industries, reflects international investors’ confidence in the country’s long-term economic prospects.
In addition, strategic transport infrastructure development plays a foundational role, she said. By strengthening regional connectivity and reducing logistics costs, such investment creates room for medium- and long-term growth. The coherence among these pillars has helped Vietnam not only withstand external shocks, but also lay the groundwork for sustainable growth in the coming period.
In December, 2025, SVEF, in coordination with the Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland, co-hosted the Swiss–Vietnam Business Outlook 2026 Roundtable and Christmas Dinner. The event offered businesses and stakeholders from both countries an opportunity to review cooperation in 2025 and discuss prospects and orientations for 2026. Participants highlighted positive expectations following the upgrade of Vietnam–Switzerland relations.
According to Isenschmid, Vietnam’s recent elevation of relations to comprehensive strategic partnerships with several key partners, alongside the establishment of a strategic partnership with Switzerland, reflects the country’s rising international standing and credibility. This, she said, is the result of proactive, flexible, and consistent diplomacy, as well as growing international trust in Vietnam’s role and contributions.
She said that Vietnam is increasingly seen as a stable, reliable, and responsible partner capable of engaging with major economies amid intensifying geopolitical competition. A foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of relations has enabled Vietnam to maintain strategic balance while expanding cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, and sustainable development.
Looking ahead to the 14th National Party Congress, Isenschmid expressed strong confidence in its success, voicing hope that it will deliver breakthrough, long-term, and highly implementable decisions to realize Vietnam’s aspiration of becoming a prosperous nation by 2045. She particularly expects policies that drive growth model innovation based on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, alongside institutional reforms, greater policy experimentation, and stronger private-sector development.
She also underscored the importance of breakthroughs in high-quality human resource development, with people placed at the center of growth. Clear strategies on sustainable and self-reliant development, coupled with continued investment in strategic infrastructure, especially digital, energy, and logistics, are expected to provide a solid foundation for Vietnam’s long-term advancement and deeper international integration by 2045.- (VNA/VLLF)
