Catalonia is stepping up its international economic strategy, with president Salvador Illa naming Vietnam as a basic partner in the region’s future growth. During his official visit to Da Nang, Illa stressed the need for Catalonia to extend its global reach, particularly in Southeast Asia, where Vietnamese markets are gaining importance for Catalan exports and investment.
Accompanied by Jaume Duch, the conseller for European Union and External Action, Illa toured three Catalan-owned companies in Da Nang. He cited Relats and Tucai, alongside Savall, as examples of Catalan businesses establishing themselves in Vietnam’s economy. The visit highlighted the part commercial ties play in the region’s wider effort to diversify its economic base and open new opportunities for local enterprises.
Speaking to the media, Illa also addressed domestic issues, backing education minister Esther Niubó amid controversy over the invalidation of Catalonia’s PISA 2025 results. He said technical reasons were behind the setback. On the AP-7 motorway, he urged a calm, measured debate and warned against delays to major infrastructure projects, including railways and airports.
Vietnam has become a standout destination for Catalan exports: 37.6% of Spanish exports to the country originate in Catalonia. In 2025, Catalan exports to Vietnam rose by 11.1%, while exports to Southeast Asia totalled €1.647 billion. Over the past decade, the number of Catalan companies that regularly export to the region has doubled. They have a strong presence in Vietnam and Singapore, as well as the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia.
During the visit, Illa and Duch met Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, vice president of the Da Nang People’s Committee. A major economic and logistics hub in central Vietnam, Da Nang has grown into a leading port and technology centre. The Catalan delegation is also due to visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, extending the trip’s focus on economic and institutional links across the country.
As Catalonia looks to Southeast Asia for growth, other regions in Spain face challenges of their own. Recent wildfires in central Spain have forced evacuations and disrupted daily life, as detailed in this report on emergency responses in Madrid and Ávila. The fires show the range of priorities and risks Spanish regions are managing alongside their international ambitions.
Vietnam’s economic development and openness to foreign investment have made it an attractive destination for European businesses. For Catalonia, a stronger focus on Southeast Asia forms part of a broader effort to reach new markets and reduce reliance on traditional European partners. The region’s export lead draws support from a network of more than 1,200 Catalan companies active in Asia, many of which use Vietnam’s position as a manufacturing and logistics hub. As Catalonia pursues international expansion while handling domestic debates on education and infrastructure, Illa’s visit brings both priorities into sharper focus.
