Since arriving in Vietnam in 2021, Fabio De Cillis, Italy’s trade commissioner, has seen country transforming rapidly—blending modernization with cultural identity. Over four years, he has led initiatives that deepen bilateral trade, encourage industrial collaboration, and highlight Italian excellence across various sectors. As he prepares for his next role in Shanghai, De Cillis reflects on a period of strategic accomplishments, strong partnerships, and lasting professional and personal ties in Vietnam.
The Saigon Times: During your time living and working in Vietnam, what has impressed you the most about the country and its people?
Fabio De Cillis: I arrived in Vietnam in July 2021, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and spent almost a month in quarantine. It was challenging, but it quickly showed me the country’s discipline and social cohesion. Over the past four years, I have seen a society defined by resilience, adaptability, and determination, evident in both its response to challenges and its drive for modernization.
Coming from Italy, I recognize shared values: creativity, pragmatism, community spirit, and adaptability. Vietnam stands out for combining rapid economic growth with cultural identity and social stability. Vietnam, like many other countries in Asia and Southeast Asia, is progressing at an extraordinary pace — achieving in a few years what took much of the Western world more than three decades to accomplish.
Could you share some of the most notable achievements of the Italian Trade Agency in Vietnam during your tenure?
The Italian Trade Agency office in HCMC was established more than three decades ago, becoming a central hub for promoting Italy’s economic and industrial presence in Vietnam and across the ASEAN region, as part of the institutional “Sistema Italia” in Vietnam that includes the Embassy in Hanoi, the Consulate General here in HCMC and, much recently, even SACE and SIMEST along with the ICHAM, that’s a local private entity.
In 2025, bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to reach approximately US$7.3 billion, building on the strong growth of recent years. In 2024, trade stood at US$6.9 billion, an increase of about 13% compared to the previous year. Italian exports to Vietnam rose by 21%, while Vietnamese exports to Italy increased by 10%. These figures reflect the complementarity between the two economies and the positive effect of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
One of our key objectives remains to further increase Italian exports to Vietnam, with the goal of making our trade balance more equitable and sustainable in the long term. Italy currently ranks as Vietnam’s fourth-largest European trading partner and among its top 20 global partners, with a particularly strong presence in sectors such as machinery, pharmaceuticals, fashion, and food technologies.
Within the European Union, Italy consistently plays an active role in promoting balanced and mutually beneficial trade relations with Vietnam — supporting initiatives aimed at industrial upgrading, sustainability, and SME collaboration. We have worked closely with Vietnamese ministries, provinces, and business associations to strengthen institutional cooperation and promote a transparent, predictable business environment. At the same time, Italy’s industrial model — based on small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation, and high-quality manufacturing — continues to generate strong interest among Vietnamese partners.
In your view, which initiatives or activities have made the greatest impact on strengthening trade relations between Vietnam and Italy?
Several initiatives have contributed to strengthening our economic partnership. Among them, I would highlight the Italy–Vietnam Business Forum, held last September, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi, the General Confederation of Italian Industry (Confindustria), and the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) of Vietnam. The event was attended by the Italian Deputy Minister of Finance and his Vietnamese counterpart, and gathered over 60 Italian companies and more than 300 Vietnamese enterprises, generating over 250 B2B meetings. It was a clear signal of the depth and maturity of our bilateral relations.
Equally important was the e-commerce cooperation agreement that ITA signed with Mega Market Vietnam, which opens new digital distribution channels for Italian products. This project reflects our shared goal of combining traditional excellence with innovation and modern market access. These kinds of agreements aim to increase the presence of high-quality Italian products in the local market, with the long-term goal of reducing their prices and making them more accessible to Vietnam’s growing middle class.
In my view, the relatively high price level remains one of the main barriers to their wider diffusion. In addition to this, we need to expand our consumer-oriented promotional activities further, because consumption requires knowledge. These are precisely the objectives we pursue through initiatives such as the “Italian Design Day” and the “Italian Cuisine Week in the World,” whose next edition will take place in November and on which we are currently working in close synergy with the entire Italian diplomatic network in Vietnam: the Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General here in HCMC.
Every year, the Italian Trade Agency organizes sector-specific promotional events that showcase Italy’s advanced technologies and know-how:
- The Italian Pavilion at ProPak Vietnam for packaging machinery,
- Shoes & Leather Vietnam for footwear and leather machinery,
- Food & Hospitality Vietnam for food and beverage,
- Borsa Vini, our main event for the wine industry, and
- The Defense & Security Expo in Hanoi, which highlights Italy’s excellence in defense technologies and industrial innovation.
Together, these initiatives form a coherent strategy: to promote Italy in Vietnam not only as a supplier but as a partner in innovation, quality, and sustainable development.
How do you assess the potential for trade and investment development between Vietnam and Italy in the coming years?
The potential for growth is substantial, supported by strong trade performance and institutional frameworks such as the EVFTA. In 2025, two-way trade is expected to exceed US$7 billion, continuing the positive trend of recent years. In 2024, Italian exports totaled US$1.25 billion, primarily in machinery (US$297 million), pharmaceuticals (US$189 million), and leather and textile materials (US$147 million), while Vietnam’s exports to Italy reached US$3.34 billion, led by electronics, footwear, and steel. Finally, the largest import from Vietnam, electronics, does not replace our production but rather reduces consumer prices. These figures confirm that our economic relationship is both dynamic and balanced, offering ample scope for further expansion.
In your opinion, which key sectors should businesses from both countries focus on to seize future opportunities?
First, renewable energy and environmental technologies, including water management, waste treatment, and circular-economy systems — sectors where Italian companies have recognized expertise. Second, industrial machinery and automation are crucial to Vietnam’s industrial upgrading. Third, agri-food processing, where Italian know-how can enhance value chains and quality standards.
In addition, fashion, furniture, and design remain natural fields of cooperation, combining Italy’s creative excellence with Vietnam’s manufacturing capability. Ultimately, education, training, and tourism play a crucial role in fostering long-term mutual understanding between our societies.
With your upcoming assignment in Shanghai, how do you expect to contribute to regional trade connections, including those with Vietnam?
After South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, China represents the natural completion of my professional “Asian poker.” The Shanghai Office is one of the most important that the Italian Trade Agency operates worldwide, and I am honored to continue my professional journey in this extraordinary country. It will certainly not be an easy experience, especially in the current global context, but I will continue to give my best with the same enthusiasm and with the solid experience I have gained throughout my years in Asia.
From Shanghai, I will work to promote cross-regional industrial and innovation partnerships, connecting Italian enterprises with opportunities in both China and ASEAN. Vietnam’s growing industrial base and openness to international cooperation make it a key partner in this regional perspective.
From a more personal point of view — as someone who tends to develop strong bonds with the places and people that have marked both my professional and personal life — I am sure I will maintain a deep connection with this country and will return as soon as possible, if only as a tourist.
Finally, what message would you like to convey to the business community and friends with whom you have built strong ties during your time in Vietnam?
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all institutional and business partners with whom I have had the privilege to cooperate.
Over these years, we have built a solid and pragmatic partnership, characterized by mutual respect and a shared interest in sustainable development. To the business community, I would encourage continued commitment to quality, innovation, and long-term vision — values that underpin both Italian and Vietnamese success stories.
And to all those I have worked with, I extend my gratitude for their professionalism and cooperation. This is not a farewell, but rather a continuation of a partnership that will remain a priority in my future responsibilities, with the awareness that in this extraordinary country I have found not only excellent professional counterparts but also true friends.
Reported by The Ky
