On June 4, 2026, the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the Italian Republic in Da Nang, in the presence of local authorities, representatives of the business community, members of the Italian community, and numerous friends of Italy.
Within the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City, Republic Day is celebrated on two occasions: in addition to Ho Chi Minh City, it is also celebrated in Da Nang, the main economic and cultural hub of central Vietnam.
Below are some photos from the evening and the full text of Consul General Alessandra Tognonato’s remarks:
Good evening and welcome!
Mr. Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People’s Committee,
Vietnamese Authorities, Colleagues from the Consular Corps and the International Organizations, Dear Italian citizens and friends of Italy, Today, 2 June, we celebrate the Day of the Republic of Italy, established eighty years ago by the will of the Italian people. With the institutional referendum of 2 June 1946, Italian men – and women voting for the first time – chose the Republic, opening a new pattern of freedom, peace and democracy. That choice strengthened unity and social cohesion, unfolding new energies that were essential for the reconstruction and transformation of Italy. The country found in these energies its momentum, and in the Constitution its guiding compass.
Allow me, therefore, to begin with the Constitution, whose article 1 defines, with remarkable brevity, a set of deeply meaningful values: “Italy is a democratic Republic, founded on labour”.
The Republic is therefore, above all, the story of Italians and their work, the story of a resource that combines tradition and innovation, quality and creativity. From this synthesis stems the value of Made in Italy, recognized worldwide as an expression of “beauty and well-crafted”. This way of producing and innovating has its roots in the Italian Renaissance: in the convergence of humanistic and technical knowledge, in the centrality of the person, and in the pursuit of a balance between functionality and aesthetics, making the Italian model recognizable and competitive globally. Through their work, Italians have earned a reputation for competence, reliability and entrepreneurial spirit, including in Da Nang, where a dynamic cohesive and well-integrated community a community, through its daily efforts, helps to enhance Italy’s image and forge ever stronger ties with Vietnam.
This anniversary of the Republic of Italy takes on particular significance as it follows closely the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence. Two distinct historical paths, yet united by a shared aspiration for freedom and self-determination. For this reason, Italy regards Vietnam with respect and sincere friendship. Over time, our bilateral relations have grown deeper, broader and more strategic.
Our bilateral economic relations are today solid and mature. In 2025, bilateral trade reached 6.9 billion euros and continues to grow, with a marked acceleration in the early months of 2026. These are significant results, supported by increasing mutual interest among our business communities and by the progressive integration of our production systems. On this basis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, has identified Vietnam as a high-potential market for Italian exports, recognizing it as a strategic partner for mutually beneficial cooperation in the most promising sectors, where Italy is regarded as a reliable and highly qualified partner.
On this basis, we can develop new opportunities for shared growth, here in Central Vietnam as well. Da Nang is a city of great interest to Italy: the country’s third-largest city, the future home of an International Financial Centre, a platform for innovation, digital development and high-tech investment, as well as a logistics hub thanks to the integration of its port, airport and special economic zones. The Italian presence is already well-established in the area, including at an industrial level, and our commitment is constantly growing.
This is reflected by the success of Italian Days 2025, the first integrated initiative for the promotion of Italian economic and cultural interests in Central Vietnam, organized under the patronage of the Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, with the support of the Da Nang People’s Committee. Yet what makes the Italian presence here in Da Nang truly distinctive goes beyond the economic dimension.
The Cooperation between the Municipality of Da Nang and the City of Genoa is growing ever closer, bolstered by the Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2025. As part of this agreement, a delegation will travel to Genoa in the coming days to attend the conference “A Journey from Italy to Central Vietnam”, dedicated to cooperation in the economic, tourism and cultural sectors.
The Consulate General works every day alongside all the actors of the “Sistema Italia” to promote the increasingly diversified and qualified presence in central Vietnam. This collaboration covers a wide range of areas.
Of particular significance is cooperation in the field of archaeology, with the Lerici Foundation contributing to the research and conservation of the UNESCO site of My Son, with funds by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the cultural and academic field, as part of Italian Language Week Worldwide, the “Study in Italy” initiative will be held here in Da Nang, in collaboration with Uni-Italia, to foster direct dialogue between Italian universities and Vietnamese students.
In November we will return to celebrate the Italian Cuisine Week, to make our food and wine specialties known and appreciated by an ever-wider audience, including in central Vietnam.
There are many more fields that build bridges between our peoples and our cultures:
I am thinking of design, with iconic brands and the Salone del Mobile in Milan, a global benchmark for the sector.
And I am thinking of sporting excellence: Our Vietnamese friends have come to appreciate Italians through football, before discovering that we are even stronger in other sports, starting with tennis, with Jannik Sinner, world number one; volleyball, with both the women’s and men’s teams winning world titles; and winter sports, with a record 30 medals at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics; motorcycling, with Marco Bezzecchi’s triumph at the Mugello MotoGP. Different fields – a common thread: the ability to transform knowledge, talent and creativity into tangible and lasting results—an ability that Italy brings to its international relations, in order to build, together with its partners, new opportunities for growth and dialogue.
My sincere thanks go to our sponsors,
JAS Vietnam, Ruou Ngon wines, BM Wines, Bon café’,
Bon Bocon/Torino Bakery (for pasta), Food source international (for caramelle Lumi), Tran Gia Event.
My Heartfelt thanks to all our fellow Italians and friends who contributed to organizing this event.
Thanks to DJ Quentin (Salvatore), Mun Art Music School, and all the musicians who helped make our evening special.
Eighty years ago, the Italian Republic was born.
Today, we celebrate its values—and we look to the future with confidence.
Long live Italy, long live Vietnam!
