Vietnam, Greece Hold Cultural Dialogue, Explore Labor Exchange

Vietnam and Greece have held a significant dialogue to foster cultural exchange and explore new avenues for economic cooperation. Greek Minister of Labour and Social Security Niki Kerameus stated that Greece needs to recruit more workers, particularly skilled and highly qualified personnel, from ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, to support its economic development. Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong stressed that the embassy's organization of the dialogue was among its key economic diplomacy activities in 2026, serving as a bridge between Vietnamese localities and partners in the host country. The initiative aims to support localities in strengthening ties with Greek partners, particularly businesses, thereby contributing to their socio-economic development and that of the country as a whole. To deepen practical cooperation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung proposed increasing exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits, while strengthening coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly as Greece serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025–2026 term. The dialogue served as an important policy forum to discuss approaches to safeguarding heritage authenticity amid urbanisation, climate change, and tourism development, co-organised by the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, and the Ninh Binh provincial People’s Committee. Under Vietnam's one-party system, economic diplomacy holds a crucial position in national development strategies. Promoting Vietnamese culture and businesses abroad, in particular, aims to expand opportunities for Vietnamese citizens abroad and encourage contributions to the domestic economy. The demand for labor from Greece could lead to job creation and skill enhancement for Vietnamese youth overseas.