Dr. Duc Thang Nguyen, Viet Nam Ambassador to Kuwait

Viet Nam ever made a moment for the people to be proud of and admire their nation 80 years ago. On 2nd September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and marking a new chapter in the history of our beloved nation.

The contemporary history of Viet Nam since then has been a long journey that Vietnamese people have gone through many hardships and sacrifices, including the resistance wars required by the blood, sweat and tears of millions of compatriots and soldiers, the lingering years coping with plenty of challenges and difficulties in security, politic, economy and diplomacy, to resolutely affirm and protect the justice, independence and reunification of the country.

Today, with all the will and effort, Viet Nam has been recognized as a model of national innovation and successful development. Our country has currently gained the GDP ranking 32nd in the world, a total trade volume of over 800 billion USD among the group of 20 countries having the world's largest commercial scales, and received more than 500 billion USD of foreign direct investment (FDI) at an average growth rate of nearly 10% per year.

In the years after the COVID pandemic, our economy has grown steadily 6-7% annually and is forecast to continue increasing over 8% in 2025. Viet Nam has turned to be an important link of the regional and world economy and effectively positioned itself in the global supply chain by participating in 17 free trade agreements (FTAs), signing more than 500 bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with partners. At the same time, Viet Nam has been achieving many socio-economic Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations as well as giving a strong commitment to implementing green development, combating climate change, and reducing emissions to net zero emissions by 2050 (COP26).

In terms of foreign affairs, Viet Nam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, of which 13 are Comprehensive Strategic Partners that include all world powers, 10 Strategic Partners, and 15 Comprehensive Partners. On the multilateral plane, Viet Nam is an active member of more than 70 major political, economic, and socio-cultural organizations in the world and the region, while getting more and more involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian relief missions in important overseas areas.

As a country of beautiful nature, vibrant cultural identity, inhabited by friendly and benevolent people, Viet Nam wins lots of love from international friends as shown by the increasing number of tourists from all continents. In 2024, Viet Nam welcomed 19 million foreign visitors, and this number is estimated to reach 23 million this year.

To accomplish these impressive achievements in the cause of national construction, along with the strong will and righteous policy of the Party and the Government, Viet Nam has also enjoyed the support of friends from all over wthe orld to maintain the national independence and realize the aspiration of freedom and development.

 Looking at the Gulf region in particular and the Middle East in general, Viet Nam views Kuwait with special emotion and appreciation at all times. We have cherished the precious friendship since Kuwait was the first country in the region to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in January 1976 – a significant time right after Viet Nam came out of the war with a resounding victory and reunified the country.

Towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Kuwait, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Kuwait is utmost grateful for the merits of previous leaders and would like to express sincerest thanks to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah; and His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. We also highly appreciate all ministries and agencies in the Government and all good friends of Kuwait, who have supported Viet Nam impartially and enthusiastically in the past challenging times as well as today's period of peace and development.

 Viet Nam-Kuwait relations have so far bloomed in many fields of cooperation with substantive results compared to other countries in the region. Leaders of our two countries have made exchanged official visits and regularly maintained contacts to promote bilateral relations and coordination in supporting each other at international forums. In terms of economic cooperation, the total export-import turnover between Viet Nam and Kuwait in 2024 reached 7.3 billion USD, the highest level of bilateral trade of Viet Nam in the Middle East, in which the proportion of non-petroleum products such as food, seafood, fresh fruits, textiles and garments, electronics, equipment, machinery, etc. is obviously improving. The large investment of Kuwait, Japan and Viet Nam in Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Joint Venture has yielded fruits since the factory got higher efficiency than many others, running at 120% capacity and earning profits recently.

The two countries have just celebrated the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (May 3, 1995 – May 3, 2025), reaffirming more favorable conditions for the two sides’ businesses to strengthen connections and expansion in each other's markets. In terms of culture, education and tourism cooperation, Viet Nam and Kuwait share similarities and complements to each other. Many Vietnamese students now come to study at Kuwait University annually, and Kuwaiti students also receive many opportunities going to Viet Nam to experience through practical projects of educational and training institutions. Kuwaiti people attracted by Viet Nam’s unique natural sceneries, rich cuisines and wonderful services have been increasingly choosing our country as the top tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Some provinces of our two countries have already established relations to promote local cooperation and people exchanges, such as the 2 pairs of Ahmadi Governorate - Ho Chi Minh City and Farwaniya Governorate - Thanh Hoa Province, bringing about better understanding and cohesiveness for our people and entrepreneurs.

After half a century of friendship and partnership, Viet Nam and Kuwait still have a lot of room to develop bilateral cooperation. Many key areas that the two sides should focus in the coming years are the further facilitation of trade in goods, financial investment, and extensive cooperation in the energy sector, digital transformation, agriculture, fishery, food security and tourism. We also put forward a discussion with Kuwait on the possibility of opening direct flight route; this will be a decisive factor for more exchanges, contacts and engagement activities between the governments, enterprises and people of Viet Nam and Kuwait.

Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Independence Day, Viet Nam is once again steadfast on the chosen path, realizing the "Era of Rising" and setting to reach higher socio-economic development goals. And thanking to practical cooperation for mutual development, Viet Nam and Kuwait will bring real benefits to the people, help building the bridge between Southeast Asia and the Gulf, thus contributing to stability, peace and prosperity for both countries and the two regions.

By Dr. Duc Thang Nguyen
Viet Nam Ambassador to Kuwait