The event was attended by around 40 representatives from leading Greek news agencies and media organisations, the Spokesperson’s Office and functional units of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as several partners of Viet Nam in the host country.
Speaking at the briefing, Ambassador Pham Thi Thu Huong stressed that despite immense challenges, Viet Nam has achieved a remarkable transformation over the past four decades, attaining notable progress in all areas.
From an economy once plagued by hyperinflation, Viet Nam has emerged as a dynamic and fast-growing economy in the region, with GDP growth reaching 8.02% in 2025. The country has attained upper-middle-income status, with per capita income of 5,026 USD, ranking 32nd globally.
A hallmark of the renewal process has been the shift in the growth structure, with increasing modernisation and a rising share of industry and services, alongside the country’s emergence as a major exporter with strengths in products such as wood, electronic components, agricultural goods (including pepper, cashew nuts, coffee, and rice), seafood, textiles, and footwear.
As a country endowed with one of Asia’s richest heritage systems, Viet Nam has been recognised as the “World’s Leading Heritage Destination”, attracting tens of millions of international visitors each year and reaching a record 21.2 million arrivals in 2025.
Placing people at the centre of development and prioritising human rights, Viet Nam successfully achieved the Millennium Development Goal on poverty reduction 10 years ahead of schedule. Economic growth has consistently gone hand in hand with social progress and equity, ensuring social welfare, improving living standards, raising per capita income, and promoting gender equality.
Viet Nam’s foreign relations have continued to expand significantly. From a country once subject to isolation, Viet Nam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries and territories, and has formed comprehensive partnerships or higher-level relations with 43 countries, including all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. It is also an active member of more than 70 regional and international organisations. Viet Nam’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions has made a positive impression.
In January 2026, alongside the upgrade of Viet Nam–EU relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both sides agreed to promote cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, making these areas new pillars of bilateral relations — particularly in Europe’s areas of strength such as science, digital transformation, and connectivity. The two sides also committed to effectively implementing the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and accelerating the ratification of the EU–Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), with a view to bringing tangible benefits to businesses on both sides, especially by promoting high-quality EU investment flows into Viet Nam. The briefing also introduced to Greek media a list of 11 groups of strategic technologies prioritised for development and international cooperation, along with policies to attract foreign experts and develop enterprises, including both state-owned and private sectors.
Regarding bilateral ties, the Ambassador highlighted notable achievements in Viet Nam–Greece relations, particularly in 2025 and early 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Key milestones include high-level exchanges such as the visit to Greece by National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai (in October 2026) and the visit to Viet Nam by First Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament Ioannis Plakiotakis (February 2026). Business connectivity activities between the two countries have yielded concrete results, including export orders in the wood sector and cooperation in labour supply. A seminar on providing skilled Vietnamese workers for the Greek market attracted 150 enterprises and employers from both sides, leading to partnerships and contracts now under implementation.
Cultural promotion activities such as Viet Nam Days and Vietnamese Film Week in Greece have been organised by the Embassy to introduce Vietnamese culture, people, and cuisine to Greek and international audiences.
In the coming period, the Embassy will continue coordinating with relevant domestic agencies to promote cooperation with Greece in areas such as labour agreements, double taxation avoidance agreements, and maritime cooperation. It will also strengthen business connectivity, particularly in exports; enhance local-level cooperation; organise exhibitions on President Ho Chi Minh; and hold cultural events, including performances by Vietnamese art troupes.
At the briefing, Greek partners expressed their admiration for Viet Nam’s achievements over the past 40 years and shared experiences from ongoing cooperation projects in areas such as maritime affairs, agriculture, and labour. They also expressed readiness to act as a bridge connecting Greek businesses with Viet Nam.
Attending journalists raised numerous questions, showing keen interest in Viet Nam’s development indicators, foreign investment attraction policies, enterprise development strategies, and the prospects for bilateral relations. Greek media outlets have published coverage of the briefing, conducted interviews with the Vietnamese Ambassador, and are planning in-depth interviews in the near future.
