Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan: Maintaining friendship, looking towards the future of Vietnam-Myanmar relations

Đại sứ Lý Quốc Tuấn: Duy trì tình hữu nghị, nhìn hướng về tương lai cho quan hệ Việt Nam-Myanmar

Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Ly Quoc Tuan. (Source: PTVN)

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Myanmar diplomatic relations (May 28, 1975 - May 28, 2025), Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Ly Quoc Tuan shared with The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper about the traditional friendship between the two neighboring countries as well as areas that need to focus on cooperation in the future.

According to the Ambassador, what are the highlights of the relationship between the two ASEAN countries over the past half century?

Vietnam and Myanmar have had traditional relations for many years.

In 1947, we established a Liaison Office in Rangoon (now called Yangon), the capital of Myanmar at that time. On May 28, 1975, the two sides established official diplomatic relations, relations at the highest level - the Embassy.

From 1975 to 2019, the two sides had many high-level visits to each other, bilateral relations in many fields developed, delegation exchanges at all levels, and people-to-people exchanges took place regularly.

Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, while Myanmar joined the Association just two years later. The two sides have increased multilateral activities within the framework of ASEAN, Mekong cooperation, etc.

A major milestone in bilateral relations was the establishment of a Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership during General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's official visit to Myanmar in August 2017.

Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan visits Mytel enterprise in South Shan state, February 1.

Economic and investment cooperation has always been a field of interest in bilateral relations. In recent times, how has the Embassy in Myanmar supported Vietnamese businesses operating in the country, as well as promoted bilateral trade, Ambassador?

In the work of the Embassy since 1975, trade and investment have always been one of the key areas of focus in the relationship. Especially in the years of opening up under President Thein Sein and after, Vietnamese businesses identified Myanmar as a potential market.

By the end of 2019, two-way trade turnover between the two sides reached over 930 million USD. Investment capital up to 2020 reached 1.5 billion USD, ranking 7th among foreign investors in Myanmar. From 2020 to now, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the special situation in Myanmar, we have not had any additional investment.

Several large Vietnamese enterprises have registered and operated in Myanmar, such as HAGL, which invested in a large complex right in the center of Yangon, which began operating on May 30, 2016 - currently owned by Thaco Truong Hai; BIDV Bank established a branch and began operating on July 31, 2016; Viettel Group, a joint venture with 11 shareholders, established Myanmar International Telecommunications Company (abbreviated as Mytel) which began operating on June 8, 2018.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and changes in Myanmar's internal situation, businesses from developed countries and ASEAN have begun to reduce operations and gradually withdraw from the market since 2020; Vietnamese businesses in the area are no exception.

Faced with many difficulties in the business and investment environment, the Embassy has implemented a series of measures to seek ways to overcome difficulties and support businesses.

Over the past 5 years, the Embassy has periodically met with Vietnamese businesses 10 times to assess their situation; at the same time, it has discussed with 8 Myanmar ministries and sectors related to Vietnamese businesses, requesting support, removing difficulties in import and export, liquidity, and protecting the legitimate interests of businesses.

In 2023, the Embassy discussed with 6 relevant Myanmar ministries about specific areas that could be cooperated with Vietnamese enterprises or Vietnamese partners. In the same year, the Embassy also organized a discussion between 4 Myanmar authorities and Vietnamese enterprises facing difficulties.

In the past two years, the Embassy has also periodically organized a fair each year in Yangon, introducing Vietnamese goods, attracting 70 and 100 businesses from both countries to connect and find partners.

In addition to regularly providing information on issues supporting business travel, market situations, security and safety, etc., the Embassy also organizes exchanges between Vietnamese businesses and third-country businesses in the area. At the same time, annual Lunar New Year activities always bring together the community, businesses with the Embassy, encouraging and praising good examples of Mytel, BIDV, Thaco, VCM, etc.

Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan talks with the head of the Vietnamese rescue team at the scene of the earthquake disaster in Myanmar, April 2.

After the earthquake disaster in Myanmar at the end of March, Vietnam quickly sent forces to support the rescue and relief efforts, which were highly appreciated by the host country. What is your assessment of these activities, Ambassador?

On March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in Myanmar, causing major disasters for people and infrastructure. Less than 48 hours after the earthquake, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security immediately dispatched a team to urgently carry out rescue work at the hot spot.

During more than a week of rescue efforts, 106 members of the Vietnamese delegation carried out their mission with a compassionate heart, "saving people like saving relatives", high responsibility, overcoming fatigue and heat, discovered and brought out 28 victims from the rubble, of which, one person was especially saved.

The humanitarian and responsible rescue activities of the officers and soldiers of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam were highly appreciated by the people and responsible officials of Myanmar. The leaders of Myanmar, the Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement; the Minister of Hotels and Tourism; the Director of the Naypyitaw Fire Department... expressed their gratitude to the Vietnamese rescue team.

Many people were moved when members of the rescue teams of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security brought bodies out of the rubble, or cried when their loved ones were saved. A liaison officer from the Myanmar side could not hold back his emotions when the Vietnamese team also helped his family with a tent to temporarily stay when his house was affected by the earthquake; or when the Vietnamese team examined, provided medicine, and provided free care to people after the earthquake... Many other stories of Myanmar people expressing their emotion towards the work and kindness of the Vietnamese rescue team.

It can be said that the rescue activities of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security after the earthquake disaster demonstrated the traditional spirit of friendship and affection of Vietnam towards its neighbors when facing natural disasters and calamities. Vietnam was one of the first four ASEAN countries to be present in Myanmar after the earthquake, clearly reflecting the solidarity within the ASEAN community, joining hands to help member countries affected by natural disasters; at the same time demonstrating a proactive and positive role in ASEAN. Vietnam's rescue activities also demonstrated the capacity of the Vietnamese rescue team, responding to emergency assistance to countries when natural disasters occur.

It should be added that Vietnamese enterprises in Myanmar such as Mytel Joint Venture, BIDV, Thaco and many other individuals and groups in the country and in Myanmar have proactively helped the people of Myanmar during this period. In particular, Mytel has actively supported the rescue teams of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

Ambassadors and Chargé d'Affaires of ASEAN countries in an exchange with representatives of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visiting Yangon.

According to the Ambassador, what areas should the two countries focus on cooperation in the coming time?

Continuing to maintain friendship and tradition, looking to the future, and contributing to the stability and prosperity of the ASEAN Association, to peace and development in the region and the world is the responsibility of both countries. Vietnam is a friend and responsible partner, ready to make constructive contributions to help Myanmar achieve stability, peace and development.

Myanmar is a potential market, rich in resources, with many agricultural, forestry and fishery products. Vietnam has many products that can be traded, complementing each other in economic development. To meet the development needs of our country in the current era of national development, increasing trade, expanding trading partners, and increasing commercial activities are the immediate areas that need to be focused on.

Thank you very much Ambassador!