Prime Minister Robert Fico hopes Vietnamese firms invest more in Slovakia

The Vietnam–Slovakia Business Forum was held in Hanoi under the organization of the Vietnam Federation of Industry and Trade (VCCI), in cooperation with the Slovak Embassy in Vietnam and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO). The event drew leaders from relevant ministries and trade promotion agencies, along with more than 400 enterprises from both countries. Under the presence of the two Prime Ministers and senior delegations, seven memoranda of understanding were signed across manufacturing, technology, healthcare, finance, infrastructure, real estate, environment and industrial park development.

Trade and investment snapshot

In 2025, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Slovakia reached USD 1.78 billion, continuing steady growth. Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of USD 1.7 billion, with key exports including electronics, machinery, textiles and footwear. Imports from Slovakia were around USD 80 million, mainly machinery, equipment, vehicles and high-tech products.

Slovakia currently has 9 investment projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of about USD 247 million.

Forum remarks and policy context

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung described the forum as an important milestone and an early step toward upgrading bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during the Slovak Prime Minister’s visit. He said the strong participation of business leaders reflected interest, expectations and confidence in cooperation opportunities.

The Prime Minister also noted that the Slovak Prime Minister and delegation were among the first international guests to visit Vietnam after Vietnam’s leadership was refreshed. He emphasized that the economic-trade-investment pillar remains central and that the EVFTA framework provides broad opportunities for collaboration.

Economic complementarities and business matching

Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to accompany and facilitate cooperation and investment by enterprises from the two countries. The forum included business-matching sessions to connect Vietnamese and Slovak companies for partnerships and concrete projects.

During chaperoned bilateral discussions, Slovakia was positioned as a potential gateway to the EU for Vietnamese goods due to its central location in Central and Eastern Europe, while Vietnam was described as a gateway to Southeast Asia for Slovak firms. EVFTA was cited as a driver for deeper engagement in supply chains and regional markets.

Priority cooperation areas

The leaders outlined several directions for cooperation: (1) advanced manufacturing and high technology, (2) energy development and the green transition, (3) logistics and supply-chain connectivity, (4) innovation and digital transformation, (5) education and human-resource development, and (6–7) additional collaborative areas as opportunities arise. They expressed confidence that, with political will and active participation from both sides, Vietnam–Slovakia cooperation will become stronger and more substantive in the near term.

Following the discussions, photos and further activities took place, including a signing ceremony and additional business-matching events to explore concrete partnerships.