Prime Minister's visit promises to lift Vietnam-Algeria relations to new heights

Ahead of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh 's official visit to Algeria scheduled for November 18-20, a VNA reporter in Algiers interviewed Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh about the relationship between the two countries.

Here is the interview content:

- Could you please assess the current relationship between Algeria and Vietnam?

Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh: As you know, the Vietnam-Algeria relationship has a very special history. This is a relationship built on the foundation of sympathy for the aspiration for peace and independence, based on the spirit of solidarity and mutual support during the period of struggle for independence and national liberation.

This year marks the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (October 28, 1962 - October 28, 2025), but in fact, this relationship had been nurtured and developed before that.

As early as the 1950s, a number of Algerian soldiers - foreign legionnaires forced to serve the French - had joined the Viet Minh. They later became the core of the Algerian liberation revolution.

In 1958, Vietnam was one of the first Asian countries to recognize the Provisional Government of the Republic of Algeria, at a time when Algeria was not recognized by many countries.

On the contrary, Algeria is also one of the African countries that most enthusiastically supported Vietnam during the period of resistance against the US to save the country as well as the period of national construction and development later.

On that solid foundation, the relationship between the two countries has been increasingly nurtured, consolidated and expanded. The two countries maintain high political trust and regularly support each other in international and regional forums.

In the field of trade and investment, the two countries have made many remarkable efforts. Algeria is currently one of Vietnam's important trade partners in Africa. Two-way trade turnover from the beginning of 2025 to now has reached over 450 million USD.

In particular, the joint venture oil and gas exploitation project of the Vietnam National Energy Industry Group (PETROVIETNAM) in Algeria is one of the most successful foreign investment projects of PETROVIETNAM and a bright spot for bilateral economic cooperation.

On December 11, 2015, the first oil stream of the Vietnam-Algeria oil exploitation project was officially put into operation at Bir Seba field, nearly 800km south of the capital Algiers (Algeria). (Photo: Thanh Binh/VNA)

Besides, the Vietnamese philosophy of life and martial spirit are spread through nearly 30,000 Vovinam (Viet Vo Dao) students in Algeria.

People-to-people exchanges between the two countries have also developed strongly. More and more young Algerians come to Vietnam to seek job opportunities. The people of the two countries always have a special affection for each other that few peoples in the world have.

In short, the relationship between Vietnam and Algeria is a valuable asset built over the course of history, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and many generations of leaders of the two countries, and strengthened by current cooperation.

It is our responsibility to preserve, promote and bring this relationship to new heights, for the benefit of the people of the two countries and for peace and development of humanity.

- According to the Ambassador, what are the advantages and difficulties in enhancing cooperation between the two countries?

Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh: In my opinion, deep political trust based on the traditional friendship built from difficult years and the sympathy that the Algerian people have for Vietnamese culture and people is a priceless asset, a solid foundation for economic, cultural and people-to-people cooperation.

Currently, with the potential and strengths of each side, the two countries are perfect complements to each other. Algeria has the largest area in Africa, nearly 8 times the area of Vietnam, is the gateway to Africa and has great potential in energy as well as raw materials. Meanwhile, Vietnam has strengths in production, processing of agricultural products and exporting high-quality goods.

The Algerian market has a demand for importing Vietnam's key products such as coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, freshwater seafood, etc. In photo: Loading and unloading rice for export by the Southern Food Corporation (Vinafood 2). (Photo: Vu Sinh/VNA)

Vietnam is Algeria's strategic bridge to access Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific markets, while Algeria is also an important gateway for Vietnam to penetrate African and Arab markets.

However, cooperation between the two countries, especially business and investment cooperation, also faces many challenges. First of all, geographical distance and logistics costs limit the ability to trade goods between the two countries. In addition, businesses on both sides lack information about the investment environment, laws and each other's needs.

Differences in language, business culture, legal systems and technical standards are also barriers that prevent bilateral cooperation from being commensurate with the potential and desires of both sides.

- So, could you please tell us what the two sides need to do to achieve substantive cooperation results in the near future?

Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh: I believe that in order to achieve substantive cooperation results in the coming time, the two sides need to focus on resolving the challenges mentioned and fully exploiting each other's strengths. Solutions need to focus on key pillars such as perfecting the legal framework, prioritizing economic-trade-investment cooperation and enhancing logistics connectivity.

Regarding the legal framework, it is necessary to create mechanisms to help investors and businesses of the two countries feel secure when operating in each other's markets, minimizing legal risks and financial costs.

The two sides need to study and issue bilateral incentive policies, especially for large, strategic investment projects that are suitable to each country's strengths.

In addition, the representative agencies of the two countries need to strengthen their role as focal points in coordinating with ministries, branches and functional agencies to promote the organization of cooperation forums and business forums, increase the provision of market information and support partner connections.

With the determination of the leaders of the two countries in elevating the Vietnam-Algeria relationship to a new height, I firmly believe that the two countries will soon overcome the limitations in cooperation in the past, moving towards a comprehensive partnership, mutual respect and mutual benefit, worthy of the foundation of good traditional friendship as well as the new role and position of each country in the region and on the international arena.

- Thank you very much, Ambassador./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/chuyen-tham-cua-thu-tuong-hua-hen-nang-quan-he-viet-nam-algeria-len-tam-cao-moi-post1077290.vnp