Vietnamese women in Europe showcase leadership at global summit

From June 4 to 6, a delegation from the Vietnamese Women's Forum in Europe attended the 2026 Global Summit of Women in Istanbul, Türkiye. The event is one of the world's leading international forums, bringing together female leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and scholars to discuss ways to advance women's roles in economic and social development.

Promoting the image of Vietnamese women abroad

In recent years, the growing presence of Vietnamese women living overseas at international conferences has reflected their proactive approach to global integration while showcasing the confidence, creativity and resilience of Vietnamese women.

At this year's summit, delegates took part in discussions on economic growth, innovation, digital transformation, sustainable development and female leadership in a rapidly changing world. They also exchanged views on policies and solutions aimed at strengthening women's positions in economic and social life.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien, President of the Vietnamese Women's Forum in Europe, was invited to participate in the ceremonial bell-ringing event at the Istanbul Stock Exchange alongside global leaders and business representatives.

The symbolic ceremony recognizes women's contributions to economic development, promotes gender equality and encourages greater female participation in leadership positions.

At the opening session, summit president Irene Natividad praised the Vietnamese Women's Forum in Europe for its positive contributions at previous editions of the event.

Through its network spanning multiple European countries, the forum has carried out initiatives in people-to-people diplomacy, cultural preservation, business development and the promotion of Vietnam's image abroad.

The delegation's presence in Istanbul reflected both the determination of Vietnamese women and the growing maturity of overseas Vietnamese communities in the process of global integration.

Strengthening Vietnam-Türkiye economic ties

On the sidelines of the summit, a Vietnam-Türkiye economic and trade dialogue was held on June 4 through cooperation between the Vietnamese Embassy in Türkiye, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye and the Vietnamese Women's Forum in Europe.

The event brought together Vietnamese businesswomen, representatives of the Vietnamese Business Association in Europe and Turkish enterprises, creating opportunities for market exchange, business networking and bilateral cooperation at a time when relations between the two countries continue to develop positively.

Opening the dialogue, Vietnamese Ambassador to Türkiye Dang Thi Thu Ha highlighted significant progress in economic and defense relations between the two nations. She also emphasized the role of diplomatic missions as bridges for promoting trade and bilateral cooperation.

Reha Denemec, Chairman of the Türkiye-Vietnam Business Council, shared insights into the investment environment, potential cooperation opportunities and the importance of strengthening business connectivity between the two countries.

In her remarks, Dr. Phan Bich Thien highlighted the strong potential for economic cooperation between Vietnam and Türkiye, particularly through the network of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Europe.

She noted that many overseas Vietnamese businesspeople possess valuable experience navigating European legal systems and business cultures while maintaining close links with enterprises in Vietnam.

She also identified specific opportunities in the food and tourism sectors, suggesting that the establishment of Vietnamese restaurants in Türkiye could serve both commercial and cultural promotion purposes.

Expanding opportunities for cooperation

The dialogue enabled businesses from both countries to showcase their capabilities, discuss market needs and identify promising areas for collaboration.

It also strengthened connections among business support organizations, diplomatic missions and overseas Vietnamese communities.

Organizers expressed hope that the success of the event would open new avenues for cooperation and contribute to deeper economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Türkiye in the years ahead.

The summit and related activities demonstrated how overseas Vietnamese communities continue to play an increasingly important role in enhancing Vietnam's international presence, promoting economic cooperation and strengthening people-to-people diplomacy on the global stage.