THE HANOI TIMES — Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai began official visits to Turkey and Greece on September 25 at the invitation of parliamentary leaders, aiming to deepen cooperation in politics, economy and culture.

In Turkey, he is scheduled to hold talks with the vice speaker and senior leaders on parliamentary collaboration, trade and investment. Relations between Vietnam and Turkey have grown steadily in recent years, with frequent exchanges of delegations and coordination in multilateral forums.

Turkey currently has 45 investment projects in Vietnam worth more than US$1.5 billion. Bilateral trade reached about $1.3 billion in January-July of 2025, showing continued momentum despite global economic headwinds.

During the visit, Vice Chairman Hai and Turkey officials will discuss and explore opportunities for expanding cooperation in logistics, energy and manufacturing, alongside closer legislative ties.

The second leg of the trip takes Hai to Greece, where 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Greece. Over the five decades, the two countries have strengthened cooperation in culture, education, transport and tourism.

Greece was also the first EU member state to ratify the European Union-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in 2021, giving additional impetus to bilateral economic links.

In Athens, the vice chairman is due to meet parliamentary leaders, take part in activities marking the 50-year milestone, and discuss new areas of cooperation such as renewable energy and maritime transport.

He will also engage with cultural and academic institutions to promote exchanges between the two societies, furthering mutual understanding and people-to-people connections.

The visits highlight Vietnam’s growing outreach to Mediterranean partners at a time of rising global uncertainty. Strengthening parliamentary diplomacy not only reinforces political trust but also provides a framework for businesses to tap into new opportunities in Europe and the Middle East.

The combination of economic cooperation, cultural exchange and legislative dialogue is seen as essential for building a more resilient and comprehensive partnership in the years ahead.