President Vo Van Thuong receives ambassadors from various countries.

On the afternoon of January 29th, at the Presidential Palace, President Vo Van Thuong received the Ambassadors of Poland, Spain, and Bangladesh who presented their credentials; and received the Ambassador of Mozambique who paid a farewell visit at the end of his term.

President Vo Van Thuong receives Polish Ambassador Aleksander Surdej. (Source: VNA)

Receiving Polish Ambassador Aleksander Surdej upon his appointment to Vietnam, the President expressed his confidence that the Ambassador would make positive contributions to promoting bilateral relations, especially on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1950-2025). The President emphasized that the Vietnamese people always cherish the valuable support and assistance that the Polish people have given to Vietnam throughout the years of struggle for independence and national reunification, as well as in the current process of national construction and development. Thanking the President for the time spent meeting him, the Polish Ambassador expressed his honor to take up his duties in Vietnam as the two countries approach the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations; he stated that the potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very great and wished to promote high-level and other contacts, thereby contributing to strengthening political trust. The two countries share many similarities in history as well as in their current approaches to socio-economic development. The Polish Ambassador expressed his desire for both sides to promote cooperation in economics, public policy, labor, and new areas of cooperation, especially science and geology. Along with that, he highlighted cooperation in culture and arts, particularly music. The Ambassador expressed his impression of the many talented young Vietnamese pianists participating in competitions in Poland. Previously, many Vietnamese people studied in Poland, and Poland hopes to continue this tradition. Currently, Poland has a very active Vietnamese community living, studying, and working there, contributing to Poland's development. On this occasion, the Ambassador conveyed an invitation from the President of Poland and expressed his hope to soon welcome President Vo Van Thuong to visit Poland.

President Vo Van Thuong with Polish Ambassador Aleksander Surdej and other delegates. (Source: VNA)

Agreeing with the Polish Ambassador on strengthening bilateral relations, President Vo Van Thuong expressed his hope that the Ambassador would promote contacts and exchanges of high-level and other delegations; and accelerate the implementation of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Pleased with the strong development of bilateral economic and trade relations, the President suggested that the two countries strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and training, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges; and from there expand to other areas of cooperation. Recalling the poem "My dear, Poland in the melting snow" by poet To Huu, the President stated that the Vietnamese people have always held fond feelings for Poland and its people; and hoped that more Vietnamese people would visit, study, and work in Poland, and more Poles would visit Vietnam to experience more deeply the country, culture, and people of Vietnam.

President Vo Van Thuong receives Spanish Ambassador Carmen Cano De Lasala. (Source: VNA)

Receiving Spanish Ambassador Carmen Cano De Lasala, the President expressed his pleasure at noting that, after 15 years of establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries, cooperation has yielded positive results in all areas: politics, diplomacy , economics, trade, investment, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The President suggested that the two countries strengthen political and diplomatic trust and promote high-level and other visits. Through the Ambassador, the President extended an invitation to the King of Spain to visit Vietnam soon. The President stated that if cooperation mechanisms such as the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVIPA) are effectively utilized, bilateral trade turnover will continue to increase in the future. Many Vietnamese agencies and businesses have visited Spain to study and learn about technology, infrastructure, and transportation – areas where Spain excels. The President suggested that both sides continue to promote cooperation in education and training, science and technology, culture, sports, and people-to-people exchanges. The President noted that Vietnamese people love football, including Spanish football, and that this contributes to promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

President Vo Van Thuong with Spanish Ambassador Carmen Cano De Lasala and other delegates. (Source: VNA)

The Spanish Ambassador stated that the two countries are in a very favorable period to promote bilateral cooperation, especially in 2024, when they will celebrate the 15th anniversary of establishing their "Strategic Partnership towards the Future." Spain was the first EU country to establish a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, demonstrating Spain's appreciation and confidence in the potential for cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in science and technology. Furthermore, cooperation in tourism and culture is increasingly strong, and Spain wishes to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, welcoming Vietnamese people to visit, study, and work in Spain. On this occasion, the Ambassador conveyed an invitation from the King of Spain to President Vo Van Thuong to visit Spain soon.

President Vo Van Thuong receives Ambassador Mohammad Lutfor Rahman of Bangladesh. (Source: VNA)

Receiving Ambassador Mohammad Lutfor Rahman of Bangladesh, President Vo Van Thuong thanked the Ambassador for his affection for Vietnam and its people, and emphasized that Vietnam and Bangladesh have a multifaceted friendship and cooperation, sharing many similarities in their national liberation struggles and nation-building. Through the Ambassador, the President extended an invitation and expressed his hope to soon welcome the President of Bangladesh to visit Vietnam. The President highly appreciated and suggested that relevant agencies of both countries strengthen exchanges and support each other's development, given the many similarities in their economies. Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to help Bangladesh strengthen cooperation with ASEAN and hopes that Bangladesh will support ASEAN's common stance on regional and international issues.

President Vo Van Thuong with Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammad Lutfor Rahman and other delegates. (Source: VNA)

The Ambassador of Bangladesh expressed his pleasure at taking up his post in Vietnam, a country with which he holds deep affection and has worked very successfully. The Ambassador hoped that the two countries would share experiences for mutual development. Bangladesh wished to further promote cooperation with Vietnam in the agricultural sector, especially since the two sides have already signed a memorandum of understanding on this field. This would also include cooperation in education; information and communication; cybersecurity; and the establishment of direct flights to enhance people-to-people exchanges. On this occasion, the Ambassador conveyed the greetings and invitation from the President of Bangladesh to President Vo Van Thuong to visit Bangladesh soon.

President Vo Van Thuong receives Ambassador Leonardo Manuel Pene of Mozambique. (Source: VNA)

Later this afternoon, President Vo Van Thuong received Ambassador Leonardo Rosario Manuel Pene of Mozambique for a farewell visit at the end of his term. The President congratulated the Ambassador on his successful term and his significant contributions to the achievements in bilateral relations. Expressing his hope for strong development of relations between Vietnam and Mozambique in all areas in the future, the President suggested that both sides continue to strengthen political trust as a foundation for promoting other areas. Through the Ambassador, the President extended an invitation to the President of Mozambique to visit Vietnam soon. The President requested that relevant agencies of both countries promote cooperation, especially in the fields of economy, trade, and investment. The President thanked Mozambique and requested continued support for Vietnamese businesses investing in the country. Both sides should implement measures to boost cooperation in the fields of culture, education , technology, and people-to-people exchanges. The Ambassador of Mozambique expressed his sincere gratitude to the President for taking the time to receive him and stated that, after his time working in Vietnam, he has developed a deep affection for the country and its people.

The Ambassador expressed his sincere gratitude to the President and relevant Vietnamese agencies for their support in helping him fulfill his duties, thereby contributing to promoting bilateral cooperation in many fields. Regardless of future assignments, the Ambassador will always strive to contribute to Vietnam-Mozambique relations.