Ambassador Duong Hai Hung gives an interview to VNA. Photo: Thanh Hai/VNA reporter in Italy

“Vietnam and Italy have a deep historical foundation of relations and a strong friendship tradition. In particular, President Ho Chi Minh stayed in Italy in 1928 and Italy’s 21 streets are named after President Ho Chi Minh. These will further deepen the relationship between the two countries," the ambassador said.

Italy is Vietnam's third largest trading partner in the EU, while Vietnam is Italy's largest partner in ASEAN. Two-way trade turnover last year reached 6.9 billion USD.

To elevate bilateral relations to a new height, Ambassador Hung said that the two countries need to focus on strategic orientations, including the exchange of delegations, especially high-level; economic, trade, investment, cultural, and tourism cooperation as well as cooperation between localities of the two countries.