New stage of development in Vietnam - Kuwait relations

After nearly 50 years of establishment, Vietnam - Kuwait relations have developed well. The two countries maintain high-level visits and contacts, as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Kuwait is currently Vietnam's largest trade and investment partner among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

On the afternoon of November 16, the plane carrying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh , his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Kuwait International Airport, beginning an official visit to the country from November 16 to 18 at the invitation of Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah.

Welcoming Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation at Kuwait International Airport, on the host country side were members of the Kuwaiti Royal Family, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Kuwait Basel Humood AL Sabah; Minister in charge of Social Affairs, Labor, Family and Youth Amthal Al Huwaila; and Kuwaiti Ambassador to Vietnam Yousef Ashour Al-Sabbagh.

On the Vietnamese side, there were Vietnamese Ambassador to Kuwait Nguyen Duc Thang; Embassy staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Kuwait.

Identify a framework for deeper cooperation

Kuwait is the first stop on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to three countries, including Algeria and South Africa. This is the first visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Kuwait in 16 years, towards the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year (January 10, 1976 - January 10, 2026).

After nearly 50 years of establishment, Vietnam - Kuwait relations have developed well. The two countries maintain high-level visits and contacts, as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Kuwait is currently Vietnam's largest trade and investment partner among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Two-way trade turnover last year reached 7.3 billion USD. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is participating with Japan in the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex (NSRP) project with a total investment of 9 billion USD and a commitment to long-term crude oil supply. The two countries also maintain other areas of cooperation, including cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife to begin their official visit to Kuwait

Photo: VNA

During this visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to meet with His Majesty the King Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, hold official talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; visit socio-economic establishments of the host country; work with major Kuwaiti economic groups and deliver policy speeches at the Kuwait Diplomatic Academy.

The two sides will also discuss and agree on directions and measures, and define a framework for deeper and broader cooperation in the coming time; promote bilateral relations and bring them to a new level. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Kuwait affirms Vietnam's determination in implementing its foreign policy strategy towards the Middle East region, realizing Resolution 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation.

Much room for cooperation development

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

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Thang, 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 establishing 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 the relationship to a new height, making practical contributions to the development goals of both countries.

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang said that in addition to the traditional areas of cooperation that are developing well, Vietnam and Kuwait still have a lot of room to develop potential areas. In particular, 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, the two sides 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.

In addition, with its dynamic economy and attractive investment environment, Vietnam hopes to be a destination that Kuwaiti investment funds are more 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.

According to Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang, 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 the Halal agricultural value chain, expanding its market to GCC countries and the entire Middle East region.

On the international front, Vietnam and Kuwait have always maintained a 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 the world's many changes, the coordination between Vietnam and Kuwait in promoting multilateralism, peace, sustainable development and actively participating 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.

To improve the effectiveness of cooperation in the coming time, according to Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang, the two sides need to continue to maintain and promote high-level delegation exchange mechanisms, not only through official visits but also at multilateral forums and events. Through regular friendly contacts between the two countries' leaders in many 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 strengthen coordination on important issues.

In addition, 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, flexibly adjust according to the geographical characteristics, population size, financial investment methods, food security needs, infrastructure construction, tourism... of this country to maximize the benefits of each side, affirming the position of a sustainable and trustworthy partner...

Finally and most importantly, Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang emphasized that 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 opportunities and potentials of each side, and bring the bilateral relationship to a new, more comprehensive and sustainable development chapter.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giai-doan-phat-trien-moi-trong-quan-he-viet-nam-kuwait-185251116224438519.htm