SWISS - VIET
ECONOMIC FORUM
2025
The Swiss-Viet Economic Forum (SVEF) 2025 in Zurich is co-organized by the Embassy of Vietnam in Switzerland and the Swiss-Viet Economic Forum Organization. It aims to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, and education between Switzerland, Vietnam, and international partners.
June 23, 2025
ABOUT SWISS - VIET ECONOMIC FORUM 2025
TRADE & INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION & DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER
EDUCATION, TALENT & HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
AGENDA
June 10, 2025
Pre-Forum Private Dialogue with Vietnamese Provinces
June 23, 2025
Main Forum Day
June 24, 2025
Thematic Workshops & Focused Exchange
Main Forum Day
Location: University of Zurich (UZH)
The Main Forum Day brings together high-level government representatives, leading businesses, academic institutions, and multilateral actors to shape the next chapter of Swiss-Vietnamese cooperation. Going beyond bilateral dialogue, the Forum positions the Swiss-Vietnamese partnership as a strategic bridge for EU–ASEAN collaboration in innovation, finance, education, and sustainable growth.
08:00 – 09:00 | Registration & Networking Breakfast
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Exhibition booths from Swiss and Vietnamese companies
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Facilitated B2B matchmaking coordinated by SVEF and partners
09:00 – 09:50 | Opening Ceremony & Morning Keynote Addresses
Theme: Swiss-Vietnamese Comprehensive Partnership and the Strategic Role Between ASEAN, Europe and Beyond
Overview:
Insights from diplomatic and institutional leaders from both Vietnam and Switzerland will highlight the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship in today’s evolving global context. Framing discussions will explore the role of Vietnam and Switzerland as trusted partners in building innovation-driven, resilient, and inclusive economic systems—positioning the strategic relationship between Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Speakers:
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H.E. Ambassador Phung The Long – Ambassador of Vietnam to Switzerland
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Dr. Philipp Rösler – President, Swiss-Viet Economic Forum
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H.E. Ambassador Thomas Gass – Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam
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Prof. Harald Gall – Dean, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, UZH
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Representative of SECO / EAER
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Representative of Vietnam's Ministry of Finance
09:50 – 10:50 | Session I – Trade, Investment & Multilateral Partnerships in a Fragmented World
Theme: Turning Bilateral Agreements into Global Connectivity Models
Overview: This session explores how bilateral trade agreements and public-private partnerships can serve as models for broader regional cooperation. With shifting global supply chains and economic realignments, the discussion will highlight how Vietnam and Switzerland can co-develop sustainable investment corridors, support FTA implementation, and empower strategic industries.
Moderator: Dr. Philipp Rösler, President of SVEF
Keynote: Ministry of Industry and Trade (Vietnam)
Panelists include representatives from:
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SECO (Switzerland)
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Economiesuisse
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Vietnamese and Swiss multinational corporations
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Focused industries (e.g. textiles, electronics)
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Vietnamese provincial leadership
10:50 – 11:10 | Networking Coffee Break
11:10 – 12:15 | Session II – Vietnam as an Emerging International Financial Center
Theme: Positioning Vietnam in the Global Financial Landscape
Overview: This session focuses on Vietnam’s ambition to become a regional financial hub. Key players from Vietnamese and Swiss financial institutions will examine regulatory frameworks, fintech innovation, and opportunities for cross-border investment. It will also highlight how Swiss financial expertise can contribute to Vietnam’s financial modernization.
Moderator: Representative, Swiss Banking Association
Keynote Speaker: Leader of Da Nang Province
Panelists include representatives from:
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State Bank of Vietnam (regulatory roadmap)
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Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority
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Swiss Finance Institute (SFI)
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Swiss bank or Swiss investment fund
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Vietnamese fintech / investment bank
12:15 – 13:15 | Networking Lunch
13:15 – 14:15 | Afternoon Keynote Addresses
Theme: Shaping the Future Together – From Bilateral Success to Global Impact
Overview: Senior representatives from academia, government, and organizations to reflect on how successful bilateral initiatives can be scaled into global impact. Emphasis will be placed on knowledge, capital, and talent flows between Switzerland and Vietnam, and the collaborative frameworks needed to foster stability, sustainability, and growth across sectors and regions.
Speakers:
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Mr. Ivo Sieber – Vice President, SVEF
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Prof. Christian Schwarzenegger – Vice President, UZH
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Mr. Stefan Brupbacher, CEO Swissmem
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EU or Swiss–EU Affairs Representative
14:15 – 14:40 | Networking Coffee Break
14:40 – 15:40 | Session III – Digital Innovation & Industrial Transformation
Theme: From AI to Industry: Driving Smart Growth through Technology & Cross-Sector Innovation
Overview: With digital transformation at the heart of industrial competitiveness, this session brings together leaders from government, tech, and manufacturing sectors to discuss how AI, semiconductors, and industrial automation can drive co-innovation. The focus is on turning bilateral innovation into scalable industrial solutions.
Moderator: Representative from Swiss or Vietnamese Tech Corporation
Keynote Speaker: Executive from STMicroelectronics or ETH Zurich
Panelists include representatives from:
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Vietnam Ministry of Information & Communications
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Swissmem
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Swiss Tech startup (AI, robotics, blockchain (JANN Technology)
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Representative of a Swiss machinery/infrastructure company
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Innovation lead from Vietnam (FPT)
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ASEAN–EU policy expert
15:40 – 16:30 | Session IV – Building a Future-Ready Economy: Market Expansion and Human Capital Strategies
Theme: Empowering Global Businesses and Talent to Navigate New Markets in the Digital Economy
Overview:
This session addresses how companies and institutions can successfully expand across borders while building the talent needed for the digital economy. It combines market-entry strategies with workforce development, education diplomacy, and skills mobility to ensure sustainable long-term collaboration.
Moderator: Representative from Swiss Chamber of Commerce or UZH/HUB
Keynote: Ms. Sybylle Bachmann, Head of Cooperation, Swiss Cooperation Office, Embassy of Switzerland in Viet Nam
Panelists include representatives from:
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Swiss SMEs and Vietnamese enterprises with global expansion experience
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Legal, tax, and trade advisory firms
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Business chambers and investment agencies
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Ministry of Education & Training (Vietnam), SERI (Switzerland)
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UZH and HUB academic leads
16:30 – 17:00 | Closing Ceremony & MoUs Announcements
Summary of forum outcomes, signing of institutional agreements, and closing remarks.
Reflections from key SVEF stakeholders and planning for SVEF 2025 Da Nang (Nov 4–5).
17:30 – 19:00 | Closing Reception
Pre-Forum Private Dialogue with Vietnamese Provinces
Audience: Vietnamese delegation, invited Swiss partners, and SVEF leadership
Location: University of Zurich.
09:00 – 12:00 | Workshop: Bridging Swiss and Vietnamese IT Ecosystems
Overview: As part of the Swiss-Viet Economic Forum 2025's broader initiative to promote innovation and digital collaboration, this thematic workshop will spotlight Vietnam’s growing role as a dynamic and competitive IT outsourcing destination. It aims to explore the evolving tech landscapes of both countries and identify synergies between Swiss fintech innovation and Vietnamese digital capacity.
SPEAKERS / PANELISTS
ORGANIZERS
CO-HOSTS
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PARTNERS
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SPONSORS
MEDIA GUESTS
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LOOKING BACK AT 2024
"The Swiss - Viet Economic Forum 2024 was a key milestone in strengthening economic ties between Switzerland and Vietnam. With insightful discussions and strategic collaborations, the forum set the stage for deeper cooperation in key sectors. Relive the highlights of last year’s event and see how it shaped the future of Swiss-Vietnamese relations."
ABOUT THE VENUE
Location:
University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland Google Map Embed
Travel Tips:
Zurich Airport > City Center (15 mins by train)
Local transport access with ZVV pass