Vietnam is increasingly viewed as a vital economic counterpart for Ireland within the ASEAN region, according to Phyllis Kelly, Assistant Principal at Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Speaking at the Vietnam – Ireland Trade & Investment Forum 2025 in Dublin, she emphasized that Vietnam’s continuous improvements in governance and business conditions, along with its deepening integration into global markets, have positioned it well to attract high-caliber foreign investment and strengthen its trade competitiveness. These developments are expected to support long-term, sustainable economic expansion in the decades ahead.
Pat O’Riordan, ASEAN Director at Enterprise Ireland — the national agency supporting Irish business growth — highlighted Vietnam’s growing strategic importance in Ireland’s regional engagement plan. He noted that Irish firms eyeing Southeast Asia see Vietnam as a priority destination, especially in sectors such as advanced technology, innovation, and the green economy. This appeal is further enhanced by Vietnam’s wide-ranging network of free trade agreements, which facilitate market access across Asia and beyond.
Le Dinh Ba, Commercial Counselor and Vietnamese Trade Representative to the UK and Ireland, reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to advancing trade liberalization, opening markets, and attracting high-quality European investment. He identified renewable energy, digital transformation, green finance, and high-tech industries as focal points for bilateral collaboration. The Vietnam Trade Office, he added, will continue to serve as a facilitator, helping businesses from both nations identify partners, integrate into value chains, and launch tangible joint ventures.
Irish companies showcased their expertise in areas including airport infrastructure management, biotechnology, environmental remediation solutions, and eco-conscious products — all aligned with sustainable development goals. Vietnamese firms, in turn, presented opportunities in coffee production, information technology, digital innovation, industrial parks, and special incentives for high-tech zones.
Representatives from both sides emphasized that Vietnam offers more than just a vibrant consumer base — it is also an appealing investment hub, bolstered by regulatory improvements and strong international economic ties.
The forum, jointly organized by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and Ireland, the Vietnamese Embassy in Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland, was part of a broader 2025 initiative to boost trade and investment ties. It attracted significant attention, with 50 companies participating in person and 100 joining virtually.
Discussions underscored the complementary strengths between Irish and Vietnamese enterprises, revealing promising avenues for deeper trade linkages, investment flows, and collaborative value chain development.
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Vietnam stands as Ireland’s promising economic partner in ASEAN: Irish official
London, December 22 (VNA) – Vietnam stands as one of Ireland’s most dynamic and promising economic partners in ASEAN, Assistant Principal at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment of Ireland Phyllis Kelly told the Vietnam – Ireland Trade & Investment Forum 2025 recently held in Dublin. n nAccording to him, Vietnam’s ongoing institutional and business climate reforms, combined with extensive integration into the global economy, have created a solid foundation to draw quality investment flows and enhance international trade competitiveness, contributing to realising the goal of strong and sustainable economic growth in coming decades. n nPat O’Riordan, ASEAN Director at Enterprise Ireland – the Irish Government’s enterprise development agency, underscored Vietnam’s increasingly important role in Ireland’s cooperation strategy in ASEAN. n nEnterprise Ireland considers Vietnam a key market for Irish companies seeking to expand their presence in Southeast Asia, particularly in high technology, innovation, green economy, and sustainable development, aided by Vietnam’s broad network of free trade agreements, he said. n nLe Dinh Ba, Commercial Counselor and Vietnamese Trade Representative to the UK and Ireland, reaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to continue promoting trade liberalisation, market opening, and quality investment attraction from Europe, including Ireland. n nHe highlighted renewable energy, green finance, digital transformation and high-tech industries as key cooperation areas, adding that the Vietnam Trade Office will continue acting as a bridge to help companies from both nations find partners, link value chains and launch concrete joint projects. n nIrish companies showcased their capabilities and investment interests in Vietnam, focusing on airport infrastructure management and operations, biotechnology and environment treatment solutions for sustainable development, as well as eco-friendly technologies and products. n nMeanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises presented opportunities in sectors of their competitive edges, including coffee, information technology and digital transformation, industrial and high-tech parks, and investment incentives for high-tech zones. n nTheir representatives stressed that Vietnam is not only a dynamic consumer market but also an attractive destination for Irish investors, supported by an improving business climate and extensive global integration. n nThe event was co-hosted by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and Ireland, the Vietnamese Embassy in Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. As part of a broader series of trade and investment promotion activities in 2025, it drew strong interest from stakeholders and business communities of both countries, with 50 companies attending in person and 100 joining online. n nDiscussions throughout the event highlighted the complementary strengths of Vietnamese and Irish firms, opening substantial opportunities for expanded trade, investment and value chain integration./.