Barcelona's Chamber of Commerce has formalized a partnership with its Vietnamese counterpart to deepen economic cooperation and explore a direct air connection between the Catalan capital and Vietnam. The agreement was signed in Hanoi during Salvador Illa's Southeast Asia tour. Illa is president of the Generalitat, and the pact forms part of Catalonia's international outreach.
Josep Santacreu, president of the Barcelona Chamber, pointed to growing interest among Catalan companies in Vietnam, a market of more than 100 million inhabitants. Vietnam recorded real GDP growth of 8.02% in 2025, while consumer prices rose 3.31%, information from figures reproduced by Vietnam's government information portal. The government has set a 2026 growth target of at least 10%, with strategic infrastructure and science and technology among its priorities, alongside high-value industries. Maersk reported that China-Vietnam trade reached US$252 billion in 2025, up 26.5% year on year. The figures reflect Vietnam's growing role in regional manufacturing and supply chains.
Santacreu and Nguyen Quang, vice president of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signed the pact. It aims to make international expansion easier for businesses in both regions through mutual support and information exchange. The agreement also sets the stage for trade missions and business conferences. The cooperation comes amid wider debate about the quality of foreign investment and industrial ecosystems. Bruno Jaspaert, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, has argued that Vietnam needs to shift from cost advantage toward environment efficiency.
After the signing, the chambers discussed initiatives including a possible direct flight between Barcelona and Vietnam. The route is still being assessed, with the parties considering whether airlines from either territory could operate it. Santacreu said a direct air link would make it easier for companies to establish a presence in either market. He described Vietnam as a strategic entry point to Southeast Asia and Catalonia as a gateway to Europe. Barcelona's airport, he added, offers strong continental connectivity and could attract long-haul carriers from Asia.
The aviation discussion fits Vietnam's broader push to improve international connectivity. Project analysis cited by Vietnam.vn estimates that more than 30% of potential international passenger demand in northern Vietnam, about 4-5 million passengers a year, is not served by direct flights. The same reporting put the number of Hanoi passengers travelling via connecting hubs at approximately 892,000 in 2025. Those hubs included Doha and Istanbul, as well as Guangzhou and Dubai. The regional figures point to demand for more direct services, but the Barcelona proposal remains a separate route-development initiative.
Vietnam is also developing airport infrastructure to expand capacity and international links. The National Assembly approved the development of Gia Binh International Airport in December 2025. Project representatives describe a network model that connects domestic feeder routes with regional services, with long-haul connections to be developed over time. At Routes World 2026 in Frankfurt, held from October 21 to 23, Gia Binh representatives held discussions with international airlines about future route development. Related coverage projects Hanoi passenger traffic rising from 47 million to 50 million annually by 2030. That is a projection, not an operating commitment for any specific route.
Salvador Illa witnessed the chamber agreement and presented it as part of the Catalan government's broader strategy to diversify markets. He also cited support for multilateralism, rule-based international trade and respect for international law. His Southeast Asia itinerary includes meetings with economic representatives and visits to Catalan businesses in Vietnam and Singapore; he is also holding talks with leading airlines to improve mobility between Catalonia and the region. This is Illa's third official trip to Asia. Earlier in 2025, he visited China and South Korea, following an earlier visit to Japan, in line with the government's Asia Strategy for 2025 to 2030.
Lluïsa Moret, spokesperson for the PSC, said the trip is part of a sustained effort to forge alliances that support economic growth and the Asia Plan, rather than a one-off initiative. She said expanding into new markets and strengthening commercial ties remain priorities for Catalonia's international agenda.
Vietnam has become an impressive economic partner for European regions seeking access to Southeast Asia's fast-growing markets. Its trade agreements, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, have reduced tariffs and opened opportunities for exporters. Barcelona's airport, El Prat, is one of Spain's busiest and a major hub for passenger and cargo traffic, but currently has no direct flights to Vietnam. A direct service could reduce travel times and logistical barriers for businesses and tourists. The initiative aligns with wider efforts to internationalize regional economies and attract foreign investment, particularly in technology and manufacturing, with tourism also in focus as supply chains shift across Asia.
