President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second, right)  receives Mayor of Bern Alec Von Graffenried, November 27, 2021. (Photo: VNA)

At a reception for Bern  Mayor Alec Von Graffenried on Saturday, the Vietnamese leader suggested Bern cooperate with 12 Vietnamese localities, which boast UNESCO-recognised world cultural heritages, in preserving and upholding cultural values, as well as promoting these heritages in Switzerland to attract more tourists to Vietnam.

Graffenried stated that Bern is a small city but has a big heart for Vietnam. 

President Phuc meets former Swiss President Schneider Ammann (first from right), and Honorary Consul of Vietnam to Switzerland Philipp Roesler (second from right). (Photo: VNA)

Earlier the same day, President Phuc met former Swiss President Schneider Ammann, and Honorary Consul of Vietnam to Switzerland Philipp Roesler, who is former Deputy Chancellor of Germany.

Ammann and Roesler emphasized the great potential for further cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland and Germany.

President Phuc asked Ammann and Roesler to actively support an early conclusion of negotiations and signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Both Ammann and Roesler pledged to contribute to speeding up the negotiations and strengthening bilateral economic links.

Also on Saturday, President Phuc received leaders of DKSH Holding AG, a Switzerland-based company that provides market expansion services, during which he suggested the group continue its investments in Vietnam.