Prime Minister's visit opens new development phase in Vietnam-Kuwait relations

Through high-level foreign affairs activities, Vietnam continues to strengthen friendly relations, enhance political trust, expand markets, and explore areas with great potential for cooperation with Kuwait.

At the invitation of Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will pay an official visit to Kuwait from November 16-18.

On this occasion, VNA reporters in the Middle East and North Africa interviewed Vietnamese Ambassador to Kuwait Nguyen Duc Thang about the relationship between the two countries.

- Could you please tell us about the content and significance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Kuwait this time, in the context of the current relationship between the two sides? What will the main contents of the visit focus on, Ambassador?

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang: The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Kuwait is of great significance, not only for the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Kuwait in particular but also affirms Vietnam's foreign policy towards the region in general.

This foreign affairs activity is a continuation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to the three Gulf countries in 2024; demonstrating Vietnam's determination in implementing its foreign affairs strategy towards the Middle East region, promptly realizing Resolution 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation. Through high-level foreign affairs activities, we continue to strengthen friendly relations, enhance political trust, expand markets, and explore areas with great potential for cooperation with Kuwait.

This is the first visit by a senior Vietnamese leader to Kuwait in 16 years, taking place right at the time when the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 2026. It is absolutely possible to affirm that the time is ripe for the two countries to consolidate and strengthen bilateral relations, bringing this relationship to a new height, making practical contributions to the development goals of both countries - with Vietnam aiming to become a developing country with modern industry and among the top 30 economies in the world by 2030, striving to become a developed, high-income, prosperous and happy country by 2045; with Kuwait, the "Vision 2035" to make this country a leading financial and commercial center in the region and the world.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Kuwait in the context that the country is assuming the role of Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Recently, Kuwait has adjusted its policy, paying more attention to Asian countries, including the ASEAN group. Kuwait proactively participated in signing the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in September 2023.

In the two recent GCC-ASEAN summits (October 2023 and May 2025), Kuwait played an active role, participating in many important issues in cooperation between the blocs. With full potential and position, Vietnam can work with Kuwait to act as a bridge to promote inter-regional cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC. At the same time, Vietnam hopes that Kuwait will promote its role in promoting the launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the GCC in 2025.

During the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will have many important activities, including meetings with His Majesty the King Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, official talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and receptions with a number of ministers and leaders of key economic groups.

The two sides will review the progress made in the friendship and cooperation over the past half century, as well as exchange and agree on directions, measures and determine a framework for deeper and broader cooperation in the coming time.

The highlight of the visit was Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's policy speech at the Kuwait Diplomatic Academy, a training and academic exchange institution with a rich tradition, meeting the requirements of developing human resources in Kuwait's foreign affairs sector to be worthy of the Arab region and the world.

Through his speech, the Prime Minister will convey strong messages about Vietnam's steady progress in socio-economic development, while highlighting Vietnam's policies and priorities in promoting multifaceted cooperation and ties with the Middle East region and Kuwait in particular within a long-term strategic vision.

- Could you please tell us about the current key cooperation contents between Vietnam and Kuwait, as well as the potential for developing bilateral cooperation in the coming time?

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang: In the Arabian Gulf region, Kuwait is strategically located, a link connecting global energy transport routes.

According to statistics, Kuwait's oil reserves are now at 101.5 billion barrels, the 6th largest in the world and the scale of daily oil production ranks 10th in the world. Recently, Kuwait has been discovering more offshore oil and gas fields, opening up great prospects for maintaining the development of the key economic sector, maintaining its position as the world's leading oil exporting country.

Notably, the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) is managing the fourth largest sovereign fund in the world with about 1,065 billion USD (after Norway, China and the United Arab Emirates - UAE), playing an important role in allocating investment abroad.

From that strength, investment and trade are the highlights in the current picture of bilateral relations. Kuwait is the Middle Eastern country with the largest total investment capital in Vietnam up to now, most notably the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Plant project with Kuwait's capital contribution of up to 3.5 billion USD.

In terms of trade, the total bilateral turnover will reach 7.3 billion USD in 2024, which is also the highest level of trade between Vietnam and a country in the Middle East (in the first 9 months of 2025, the trade turnover between the two countries reached over 5 billion USD). Importing a large amount of oil from Kuwait contributes to ensuring a stable supply for the production activities of Nghi Son factory, which supplies over 35% of the gasoline consumed in Vietnam's domestic market.

In addition, Vietnam's export products to the Kuwait market have also become increasingly diverse and have higher value in recent times, including agricultural and aquatic products, fruits, wooden products, machinery and equipment, electronic products, etc.

In addition, the two countries also maintain other areas of cooperation. Over the years, the Kuwait Fund has supported essential infrastructure projects in Vietnam, with a total value of 182 million USD through 15 projects in many provinces and cities. In the field of local cooperation, the two countries have signed a number of cooperation agreements such as Ho Chi Minh City and Ahmadi province, Thanh Hoa province and Farwaniya province, etc., thereby promoting delegation exchanges, trade promotion and people-to-people exchanges.

In the field of education and training, the Kuwaiti Government has created favorable conditions to grant scholarships for many Vietnamese students to study Arabic at Kuwait University every year since 2013.

In addition to the above-mentioned traditional areas of cooperation, it can be affirmed that Vietnam and Kuwait still have a lot of room to develop the following potential areas. Firstly, cooperation in oil and gas and energy in general between the two countries can develop in new directions. Vietnam is fully qualified to become the largest oil storage and distribution center in Southeast Asia. At the same time, in the context of the world strongly shifting to renewable energy, Vietnam and Kuwait have many opportunities to cooperate in developing green energy, clean energy, meeting the international goals and commitments of each country. The two countries can jointly research and invest in solar power, wind power and green hydrogen projects - taking advantage of Kuwait's financial strength and Vietnam's production and technical capacity.

Second, with its dynamic economy and attractive investment environment, Vietnam hopes to be a destination that Kuwaiti investment funds are increasingly interested in. In the coming time, the two countries can promote cooperation in major projects, helping to create new financial centers in the region. Vietnam can become a gateway for Kuwait to expand its investment to Southeast Asia, while Kuwait plays the role of a strategic partner to help Vietnam access the Middle East and neighboring markets.

Third, Vietnam is confident that it is one of the world's leading agricultural and aquatic product exporters, capable of ensuring food security, providing a rich, stable, long-term and Halal-standard product source for the Kuwaiti market. Cooperation in this field not only helps Kuwait diversify its food supply but also creates conditions for Vietnam to develop a Halal agricultural value chain, expanding its market to GCC countries and the entire Middle East region.

Fourth, Vietnam is increasingly becoming a favorite destination for international tourists, including Kuwaitis who consider tourism an essential part of life. Due to its high economic conditions, Kuwait's tourism spending has been at 12-13 billion USD/year in recent years. Many Kuwaiti families and businessmen have chosen Vietnam to relax, explore nature, cuisine and East Asian culture. The number of international tourists to Vietnam in 2025 could exceed 22 million, an increase of 20% over the same period last year, including the contribution of tourists from Muslim countries. In the coming time, the two countries can promote the opening of direct flights and organize more tourism promotion programs.

Fifth, Vietnam and Kuwait have always maintained the tradition of mutual support and assistance at international forums, including important mechanisms and committees at the United Nations of which both countries are members. In the context of a volatile world, the coordination between Vietnam and Kuwait in promoting multilateralism, peace, sustainable development and active participation in humanitarian missions will contribute to enhancing the role of both countries in the international arena. More importantly, both countries are qualified and ready to become a bridge to promote cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC on both political and economic levels, opening up a promising process of linking the two regions in the future.

Scene of the fourth political consultation between the Foreign Ministries of Vietnam and Kuwait. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

- What should Vietnam and Kuwait do to improve the effectiveness of cooperation in the coming time, Ambassador?

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang: From the results of the Prime Minister's official visit to Kuwait this November and at the time when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in January 2026, the Vietnam-Kuwait relationship has been established on a new framework that is higher, deeper and requires efforts from both sides.
First of all, for its part, Vietnam needs to prioritize implementing a number of practical and effective measures to create momentum for a new stage of cooperation development between the two countries.

Firstly, the mechanisms for high-level delegation exchanges need to be maintained and promoted, not only through official visits but also at multilateral forums and events. Through regular friendly contacts between the two countries' leaders in various forms, the two sides will strengthen trust, create effective channels of close connection between high-level leaders; and move forward with ministries, branches and functional agencies of the two countries to enhance coordination on important issues.

Next, Vietnam needs to demonstrate a more proactive and positive role in expanding cooperation with Kuwait, while building a comprehensive approach to the GCC region - both general and synchronous, and specific to each country. If at the regional level, Vietnam needs to implement a synchronous policy for the entire GCC through investment promotion, free trade agreements, Halal standards, carbon credits and digital economy; for Kuwait in particular, we need to flexibly adjust according to the geographical characteristics, population size, financial investment methods, food security needs, infrastructure construction, tourism, etc. of this country to maximize the benefits of each side, affirming the position of a sustainable and trustworthy partner.

We need to fully exploit or upgrade existing cooperation mechanisms as well as practically implement the signed bilateral cooperation agreements in many fields. Meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade and Scientific and Technical Cooperation, Political Consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs level, and delegation exchanges between ministries, branches and localities of the two countries need to be maintained more regularly and substantially. Through regular meetings, the two sides can review and evaluate the progress of work implementation and promptly resolve arising problems. In fact, Kuwait's traditional culture of valuing direct work and friendly relations is the first basis for moving towards a long-term cooperative relationship.

Finally and most importantly, in addition to the political commitment between the two countries, close and synchronous coordination at all levels will be the key for Vietnam and Kuwait to overcome difficulties and differences, take advantage of each side's opportunities and potentials, and bring the bilateral relationship to a new, more comprehensive and sustainable development chapter.

Thank you, Ambassador!./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/chuyen-tham-cua-thu-tuong-mo-ra-giai-doan-phat-trien-moi-trong-quan-he-viet-nam-kuwait-post1076819.vnp