The visit is of particular significance as it marks the first visit to Viet Nam by a senior Liechtenstein leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations.
By welcoming Prime Minister Brigitte Haas, Viet Nam is sending a strong message of its commitment to further strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries and working with Liechtenstein to effectively tap cooperation potential in areas where the European country has strengths, such as high-tech manufacturing, financial services, digital assets, green finance and innovation, in line with Viet Nam’s development needs.
Despite its small size and population of just over 40,000, Liechtenstein ranks among the world’s leading countries in terms of per capita income. Its domestic political situation remains largely stable. The Government of Liechtenstein’s current priorities include promoting social reforms, strengthening relations with the European Union (EU), preserving the country’s distinctive cultural identity, diversifying economic cooperation and export markets, and making effective use of multilateral agreements.
Economically, Liechtenstein has strengths in high-tech manufacturing, financial and banking services, and innovation. Regarding foreign affairs, the European country supports multilateralism and international law, prioritises the protection of human rights and the rule of law, pursues diversified international relations, and maintains a neutral stance.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 2008, Viet Nam and Liechtenstein have maintained friendly relations and effective cooperation, with bilateral trade in 2025 reaching 9.8 million USD. Liechtenstein currently has one active foreign direct investment project in Viet Nam, with total registered capital of 4 million USD.
Liechtenstein has strengths in high-value-added industrial products, including precision engineering, industrial equipment, and machinery. Meanwhile, manufacturing industries are important drivers of Viet Nam’s economic growth.
Given Liechtenstein’s strengths, together with Viet Nam’s market potential and its position as a regional connectivity hub in Southeast Asia, the two sides have considerable scope to advance substantive cooperation.
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Brigitte Haas’s official visit to Viet Nam is significant not only for strengthening the close friendship and political trust between the two countries but also for providing an opportunity for their senior leaders to chart directions for advancing practical bilateral cooperation in areas where Liechtenstein has strengths and Viet Nam has needs. This will help translate opportunities and potential into concrete cooperation programmes and tangible results.
The visit comes shortly after Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Liechtenstein is a member, concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement in July 2026. The agreement will provide an important framework for Viet Nam and EFTA member states in general, and Liechtenstein in particular, which currently holds the EFTA presidency, to further expand economic cooperation, facilitate trade and investment flows, and strengthen business connectivity.
Viet Nam’s reception of Prime Minister Brigitte Haas on an official visit demonstrates its determination to effectively implement the foreign policy adopted at the 14th National Party Congress, Politburo Resolution 06 on implementing the foreign policy of the 14th National Party Congress, and Politburo Resolution 59 on international integration in the new situation.
The first visit to Viet Nam by a senior Liechtenstein leader in nearly 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations will open a new chapter in the history of Viet Nam-Liechtenstein relations, providing an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on strategic directions for developing their ties in the new period.
The visit will also serve as an important bridge for strengthening connectivity between ASEAN and EFTA, as well as between Asia and Europe, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development worldwide.
