Opinions & Interviews
Visits, strategic partnership. Vietnam ambassador on milestones in cooperation with Belarus
Nguyen Van Trung. An archive photo
Vietnam is ready to actively cooperate with Belarus in order to effectively implement strategic partnership agreements. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Belarus Nguyen Van Trung made the statement in an interview with BelTA on the occasion of the country’s key national holiday – Independence Day. The head of the diplomatic mission talked about the development of interaction between Belarus and Vietnam amid global turbulence, highlighted which Belarusian brands have taken root in the Vietnamese market, and shared his personal impressions of the country.
Mr. Ambassador, Vietnam celebrated its key national holiday – Independence Day – on 2 September. What major achievements in the country’s development would you highlight?
Over more than 80 years of building the country and nearly 40 years of implementing the Doi Moi (renovation) policy, Vietnam has achieved comprehensive successes of historical significance. From a country devastated by war, Vietnam has transformed into a state with a dynamic, deeply integrated economy and a high international status.
In 2025 Vietnam’s economy grew by 8.02%, with the GDP of about $514 billion. At the same time, inflation remains under control, and the main economic balances are ensured. People’s lives continue improving, and their social protection is guaranteed. Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are becoming vital drivers of rapid and sustainable development.
I would like to point out that in the field of foreign policy Vietnam consistently pursues an independent, self-reliant foreign policy line in favor of peace, cooperation, and development. It is quite important that multilateralism and diversification of international relations are being implemented. Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community.
Our country is getting actively integrated into the international community and makes an active contribution to ensuring peace, stability, cooperation, and development both in the region and in the world.
With this stance, Vietnam is about to begin a new stage of development with confidence, aiming to become a developing country with modern industry and a high average income by 2030, and a developed country with a high income by 2045.
How would you rate the development of political cooperation between Belarus and Vietnam in today’s turbulent global conditions?
Political relations between Vietnam and Belarus develop in a positive, sustainable direction and constantly deepen. The most important foundation of relations between the two countries rests on traditional friendship, high political trust, mutual respect, and a shared desire to protect independence, sovereignty, peace, and development.
A historic milestone in bilateral relations was a state visit of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Comrade To Lam to Belarus in May 2025, during which the leaders of the two countries decided to establish strategic partnership relations between Vietnam and Belarus. This new level of relations demonstrates strong political resolve and serves as a driving force for promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
I am convinced that amid a rapid, complex, and unpredictable situation in the world, it is increasingly important to maintain exchanges of high-level delegations and strengthen interaction between state and party bodies. The exchange of delegations along political, diplomatic, and parliamentary lines in 2025 and 2026 shows that relations between the two countries are continuous, stable, and gain new momentum.
In my view, the important task now is to translate the high level of political trust into concrete cooperation results, especially in such areas as economy, trade, science and technology, education, culture, tourism, and interpersonal contacts.
Vietnam is ready to cooperate with Belarus in the effective implementation of the strategic partnership in the interests of both nations and contribute to ensuring peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the world.
What goods and services are the main ones in trade and economic cooperation between the two countries? Which Belarusian goods have become popular with the Vietnamese?
Trade between Vietnam and Belarus is mutually complementary. Vietnam mainly exports rubber, seafood, cashews, coffee, rice, textiles, footwear, printing equipment, electronics, and consumer goods to Belarus. In turn, Vietnam imports potash fertilizers, milk and dairy products, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, vehicles, machines, equipment, spare parts, trucks, and tractors from Belarus.
Vietnamese consumers and business circles highly appreciate Belarusian goods, which are distinguished by high quality and durability, especially potash fertilizers, dairy products, pharmaceutical, and mechanical equipment. Industrial brands such as MAZ, MTZ, and BelAZ are already present in Vietnam. Moreover, MAZ vehicles are assembled in Hung Yen.
As for services, cooperation is expanding in tourism, air transport, education, science, and technology. Belavia’s direct flights connecting Minsk with Cam Ranh create favorable conditions for tourism, contacts between people and business circles.
The international situation is becoming increasingly complex. How do Belarus and Vietnam streamlin interaction under these conditions, and have sanctions affected bilateral cooperation?
Amid a complex international situation, Vietnam and Belarus attach great importance to strengthening political trust, maintaining exchanges of high-level delegations, and implementing practical agreements in compliance with the level of strategic partnership achieved in May 2025. Both states continue expanding cooperation in areas that meet the needs and strengths of each – from economy, trade, education to science, technology, security, and interpersonal contacts.
In 2026 the parties agreed to expand scientific and technical cooperation in such fields as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and robotics.
Sanctions against Belarus affect bilateral cooperation to a certain extent, but we are adapting to restrictions. These difficulties do not alter the determination of the two countries to cooperate.
Vietnam and Belarus are making all necessary effort to utilize existing mechanisms, including the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union while searching for suitable, safe, and legally compliant ways to resolve matters.
It is important to transform political agreements into concrete, effective projects that bring practical benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Cultural and educational ties have been developing between our countries since Soviet times. How close are they now? What projects are being implemented in these fields?
Ties between Vietnam and Belarus in these areas develop on the foundation that was formed back in the Soviet period. Belarus trained thousands of Vietnamese students, postgraduate students, and technical specialists. Many of them subsequently became experts who contributed to the country’s development and the development of friendship between the two nations.
Today these relations remain very close and are accompanied by concrete projects. In the field of culture, the two countries are implementing a cultural cooperation program for 2026-2028. In 2026 the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater performed in Vietnam for the first time. Then artists from the Vietnamese opera theater Ho Guom performed in Minsk. Both theaters signed a memorandum of cooperation. Belarusian Cinema Days were also successfully held in Vietnam.
In the field of education the two countries signed an education cooperation agreement in 2023, creating opportunities for exchanges of students, professors, scholarships, internships, and scientific research. In 2026 both sides are approving a protocol introducing amendments and additions to this agreement, which will contribute to expanding student exchanges in 2027, strengthening ties between universities, and developing joint training and research programs.
Apart from that, events along the lines of grassroots diplomacy, youth exchanges, and diaspora activities continue invigorating Belarusian-Vietnamese cooperation. A Vietnamese language class has been operating in Minsk for ten years. The 2026 summer Vietnamese language camp is designed to help the younger generation of Vietnamese in Belarus preserve their native language and national identity.
One can say that culture and education are not only a precious heritage of Vietnamese-Belarusian relations, but also a solid foundation for passing down traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries to future generations.
Mr. Ambassador, what do you personally like about Belarus? Which regions have you already visited? Did you like Belarusian cuisine?
My deepest impression in Belarus is the sincerity and hospitality of the Belarusian people. For me, Belarus is a peaceful, green, clean country with rich cultural traditions. I especially value the friendly attitude that the Belarusian people show toward Vietnam.
Although the two countries are geographically far apart, I always feel affinity between our states at meetings with war veterans, specialists, friends of Belarus, and the Vietnamese community here.
I have already had the opportunity to get to know the capital city of Minsk and most of the major cities of Belarus better. I hope that during my stay here I will have the opportunity to visit various regions to learn more about your country, its people, and the potential for cooperation between the regions of the two countries.
I like Belarusian cuisine very much. The dishes here are simple and rich in flavor. For me, enjoying local cuisine is not only a pleasant experience, but also a way to better understand the culture and people of your country.
I often tell Vietnamese friends that Belarus is a wonderful country with beautiful nature, a rich culture, friendly people, and a sincere feeling of affection for Vietnam. I hope that more and more Vietnamese will come to Belarus to travel, study, work, and directly feel the special friendship between the two nations.
By BelTA’s Alina GRISHKEVICH
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