SWITZERLAND SHARES EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER WITH VIETNAM

On October 17, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with Swiss President Guy Parmelin during his official visit to Vietnam. During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized that financial development is a national strategic priority. He asked Switzerland to share its experience in building the Viet Nam International Financial Center and to help strengthen connections with global financial institutions. The Prime Minister proposed expanding cooperation in key areas, including green finance, wealth management, fintech, international bonds, and crypto assets.

In response, President Guy Parmelin affirmed that Switzerland values Vietnam's potential and suggested building a bridge between Switzerland’s well-known Crypto Valley and Vietnam's innovation ecosystem. This high-level initiative provides strong momentum for the development of the Viet Nam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC), offering direct access to governance standards, investment capital, and technology infrastructure from one of the world's leading financial centers.

Alongside national-level strategies, Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass pointed out that an international financial center can only grow sustainably on the foundation of a solid domestic banking system. Switzerland is committed to working closely with the State Bank of Vietnam and local commercial banks through executive training programs, while supporting modern fintech tools to promote broader financial inclusion.

In terms of specialized financial technology, President Guy Parmelin’s proposal to connect with Crypto Valley holds practical value for VIFC-HCMC. Cooperation in core technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology will help Vietnam's financial market keep pace with emerging sectors—especially crypto assets, digital asset management, and carbon credit trading platforms operating under international transparency standards.

In addition, the upcoming enforcement of the free trade agreement between Vietnam and EFTA, together with workforce development agreements linked to business needs, will create a comprehensive legal framework. This environment serves as a key prerequisite to attract Swiss venture capital funds, insurance, and reinsurance institutions directly into the market, while building a high-quality talent pool to directly support the financial center's operations in Ho Chi Minh City.