Both countries strengthen cooperation in agriculture, trade and environment, seek to remove trade barriers and advance sustainable development projects.
On September 10, in Hanoi, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung held a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Viet Nam Marco della Seta to discuss bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade and sustainable development.
Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung meets with Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco della Seta. Photo: Khuong Trung.Minister Trinh Viet Hung welcomed Ambassador Marco della Seta to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam, expressing his appreciation for the Ambassador’s positive contributions to promoting cooperation between the two countries.
As of the end of the first quarter of 2026, bilateral trade between Viet Nam and Italy reached USD 2.36 billion. In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade is estimated to have continued its positive growth trend, further consolidating Italy’s position as Viet Nam’s third-largest trading partner in the EU.
Minister Trinh Viet Hung commends of Ambassador Marco della Seta’s positive contributions to promoting cooperation between the two countries. Photo: Khuong Trung.At the meeting, the two sides discussed the implementation of the MoU on agricultural cooperation signed in 2024 and agreed on principles to further promote and expand cooperation activities.
Regarding agricultural trade, Viet Nam’s main exports to Italy include coffee, cashew nuts, pepper and other agricultural products. The two sides discussed the progress of approval procedures for the export of kiwifruit, grapes, beef and chicken. They also exchanged views on several outstanding issues, including inspections of beef-related products; updating the list of enterprises authorized to export meat and animal products; and the impact of the special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages on Italian wine exports.
Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco della Seta speaks at the meeting. Photo: Khuong Trung.In the area of sustainable development, the two sides discussed a project with a budget of EUR 3.5 million. Italian technical experts will come to Viet Nam next month to carry out the project, provide on-site training and install software. The total budget for Italy’s development projects in Viet Nam currently stands at EUR 11.6 million, focusing on climate change adaptation, water resource management, coastal restoration, solid waste management, sustainable industry and environmental monitoring.
In addition, Minister Trinh Viet Hung and Ambassador Marco della Seta agreed on the need to identify suitable sectors to help balance bilateral trade, activate the joint working group soon and strengthen coordination in addressing existing obstacles. Italy will support Viet Nam in implementing EU regulations on the management of imports and exports in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. The Italian Ambassador will work with the Italian Government to promote the removal of trade barriers.
The two sides are expected to hold a conference to announce the results of their cooperation at the end of 2026 and maintain communication through the joint working group.
Minister Trinh Viet Hung poses for a group photo with the delegation and introduces Vietnamese OCOP products to Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco della Seta. Photo: Khuong Trung.