Italy and Vietnam Forge Deeper Strategic Maritime Ties During Historic Port Call of ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere in Ho Chi Minh City

The port call of the Italian Navy’s multipurpose combat ship ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere in Ho Chi Minh City marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic, economic, and security relations between Italy and Vietnam. On September 18, high-ranking diplomatic and military officials from both nations gathered aboard the advanced vessel to celebrate decades of bilateral cooperation and to chart a course for future partnerships in maritime security, green port development, and technological exchange. The high-profile event underscored the shared strategic vision of Rome and Hanoi in maintaining a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region while strengthening economic integration at a municipal and national level.

The reception, hosted jointly by Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta, Italian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Alessandra Tognonato, and the command crew of the ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere, drew prominent local dignitaries, including Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Van Bay. The gathering served as the social culmination of the vessel’s multi-day visit, following a high-level seminar held earlier that morning on board the ship. Titled "Safe Sea, Resilient Supply Chain: Promoting Italy-Vietnam Maritime Cooperation," the seminar brought together industry leaders, defense officials, and policymakers to discuss the evolving dynamics of global trade routes and the critical importance of maritime infrastructure resilience.

A Strategic Evolution Rooted in Defense and Diplomacy

Bilateral relations between Italy and Vietnam have experienced a remarkable trajectory since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973. Over the past five decades, cooperation has expanded across multiple pillars, culminating in the establishment of a Strategic Partnership in 2013. In recent years, defense diplomacy has emerged as a cornerstone of this relationship. A prominent example of this growing mutual trust was the inauguration of the Vietnamese Defense Attaché Office in Italy in April, which took place during the official visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

During the reception, Vice Chairman Tran Van Bay emphasized that the presence of the ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere is a living testament to the deep political trust and comprehensive strategic partnership shared by the two countries. He noted that geography, which once presented a physical barrier between Mediterranean Europe and Southeast Asia, has instead become a bridge of connection, commerce, and shared culture.

Echoing this sentiment, Italian Ambassador Marco Della Seta highlighted that the warship’s deployment reflects the maturity and steadfastness of bilateral ties. Ambassador Della Seta explained that the Italian Navy’s regular presence in the Indo-Pacific region through cooperative and training deployments aligns with Italy’s commitment to global security. By operating alongside international partners on critical maritime trade routes, the Italian naval forces maintain a high level of operational readiness while contributing to stability, freedom of navigation, and the rule of law in international waters.

Ho Chi Minh City as a Gateway for Green Maritime Economics

As Vietnam’s economic powerhouse and primary international gateway, Ho Chi Minh City is actively positioning itself as a central hub for regional development, innovation, and advanced industry. Vice Chairman Tran Van Bay pointed out that the city possesses immense potential and infrastructure advantages in seaport management, logistics, heavy industry, renewable energy, and the blue economy.

In the context of global supply chain transformations, Ho Chi Minh City is actively seeking to expand cooperation with Italian partners beyond traditional trade sectors. Municipal authorities have expressed a strong desire to collaborate on cutting-edge initiatives, including maritime security, the development of green and smart ports, advanced logistics networks, and ship-building technology.

Italian Consul General Alessandra Tognonato praised Ho Chi Minh City’s ambitious economic transition, noting its growing role as a regional center for finance, technology, and advanced manufacturing. She emphasized that the city’s expanding international outlook makes it an increasingly vital partner for Italy in Southeast Asia. The synergy between Italy’s globally recognized marine engineering capabilities and Vietnam’s rapidly growing maritime infrastructure creates fertile ground for joint ventures, technology transfers, and sustainable investments aimed at reducing carbon emissions in maritime transport.

Three Ships, Three Historic Milestones

The arrival of the ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere is the latest chapter in a rich maritime history connecting Italian vessels to Vietnamese ports during moments of profound historical significance. During the reception, both Vietnamese and Italian officials invoked the powerful symbolism of three distinct naval visits that have defined the bilateral relationship across different eras.

The first historical touchpoint occurred in 1974, amidst the height of the Vietnam War, when the Italian ship Australe arrived at the port of Hai Phong. Carrying humanitarian aid and expressions of solidarity from the Italian people to the people of Vietnam, the Australe transformed the dividing ocean into a lifeline of empathy and mutual support.

Decades later, diplomacy and defense cooperation took a new form when the Italian Navy patrol vessel ITS Francesco Morosini visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2023, further strengthening the diplomatic fabric between the two nations. The arrival of the ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere in 2026 builds directly upon this legacy, bridging a proud historical past with a vibrant, forward-looking present.

Italian Consul General Tognonato eloquently summarized this continuum, stating that while the Australe became a powerful symbol of solidarity during times of hardship, and the Morosini reinforced contemporary ties, the presence of the ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere honors a glorious past while signaling complete readiness to embrace a closely intertwined future.

Strategic Implications and Future Prospects

The successful port call of the ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere and the accompanying bilateral dialogues carry several broader geopolitical and economic implications:

1. Reinforcing Multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific: Italy’s growing naval engagement in the Indo-Pacific demonstrates that European maritime powers play an active, constructive role in upholding international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). By conducting cooperative exercises and port visits, Italy reinforces its commitment to open sea lanes and regional stability.

2. Advancing the Blue Economy and Sustainability: As global shipping faces stringent environmental regulations, the partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and Italian maritime stakeholders provides a practical framework for developing green ports. Investments in shore-power infrastructure, energy-efficient vessel design, and digital port management systems are expected to be key areas of future collaboration.

   

3. Deepening Bilateral Defense Industrial Cooperation: Following the establishment of the Vietnamese Defense Attaché Office in Rome, visits by advanced naval assets like the FREMM-class frigate ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere open avenues for deeper technical exchanges, crew training programs, and potential defense technology partnerships.

4. Enhancing Municipal-Level Diplomacy: The active involvement of Ho Chi Minh City’s leadership in hosting the Italian delegation highlights the growing importance of sub-national diplomacy. By directly engaging with foreign diplomatic missions and naval commands, economic hubs like Ho Chi Minh City can accelerate foreign direct investment and streamline high-tech industrial partnerships.

As the ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere prepares to depart from Ho Chi Minh City, the successful visit leaves behind a strengthened framework for cooperation. Moving forward, the shared commitment of Italy and Vietnam to maritime security, sustainable economic development, and cultural exchange ensures that the maritime corridor connecting the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia will remain a vital pathway of mutual prosperity and enduring friendship.