Vietnamese, Slovak Prime Ministers co-chair Viet Nam-Slovakia Business Forum

At the forum, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing and exchange of seven memoranda of understanding on cooperation covering areas such as manufacturing, technology, healthcare, finance, infrastructure, real estate, environment, and industrial park development between businesses from both countries.

These agreements are expected to create new momentum for bilateral economic ties while opening up concrete investment opportunities for enterprises in each other's markets.

Bilateral trade turnover reached US$1.78 billion in 2025. Of the figure, Viet Nam recorded a trade surplus of US$1.7 billion, with key exports including electronics, machinery, textiles, and footwear.

In terms of investment, Slovakia currently has nine investment projects in Viet Nam with a total registered capital of approximately US$247 million.

Addressing the event, the Vietnamese Prime Minister stated that with the upgrade of relations with Slovakia into a strategic partnership, Viet Nam has become the first country in Southeast Asia to establish such a partnership with Slovakia.

With its position as an industrial hub in Central and Eastern Europe, Slovakia can serve as a strategic gateway for Vietnamese goods to access the EU market. Meanwhile, Viet Nam stands ready to act as a gateway for Slovak enterprises to expand investment into the ASEAN region, he noted.

In particular, the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has opened up broad opportunities for cooperation, creating favorable conditions for businesses of both countries to strengthen collaboration, and participate more deeply in global value chains, shared the host.

"We are committed to accompanying businesses, willing to support and protect the legitimate rights and interests of domestic and international investors, including the community of Slovak enterprises and investors", said the Vietnamese Prime Minister.

Le urged both sides to promote collaboration in processing and manufacturing industries and high technology, especially in areas where Slovakia has advantages, such as automotive industry, precision engineering, automation, and supporting industries, while enhancing linkages with Viet Nam's production ecosystem.

It is necessary to boost ties in renewable energy, energy-saving technologies, and sustainable development, he stated.

Le underscored the need to effectively utilize the EVFTA to expand supply chains, promote the export of Vietnamese goods to the EU market via Slovakia, and Slovak goods to ASEAN.

He called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence, digital government, e-commerce, and digital services.

The Vietnamese leader proposed both sides step up cooperation in training engineers and highly skilled technical experts, and strengthen links between their educational and research institutions.

Fico, for his part, affirmed that Slovakia wishes to enhance cooperation with Viet Nam in such areas as human resource training, mechanical engineering, defense industry, cybersecurity, automotive industry, and healthcare.

As Viet Nam is Slovakia's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, Slovakia hopes to further increase its exports to the country, emphasized the Slovak leader, adding that Slovakia welcomes Viet Nam's highly skilled workforce to work in the country.

The Slovak Government will create the most favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in the nation, affirmed Fico./.