Realizing a strategic resolve.

P6-50: Mở ra không gian hợp tác rộng lớn hơn

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Vietnamese Embassy in Portugal on November 25th in Lisbon. (Source: VNA)

How does the Ambassador assess the significance of establishing the Vietnamese Embassy in Portugal, especially as this event takes place in the context of the two countries celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations? What are the Ambassador's feelings upon receiving this historic assignment?

On the afternoon of November 25th, the opening ceremony of the Vietnamese Embassy in Portugal was solemnly held within the embassy grounds. The ceremony was attended by Politburo member, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Phan Dinh Trac, along with a high-ranking delegation from the Party, demonstrating the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and Government attach to Vietnam-Portugal relations in general, and the opening of a Vietnamese representative office in Portugal in particular.

2025 is a particularly significant year in Vietnam-Portugal relations as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (July 1, 1975 - July 1, 2025), and the governments of both countries have decided to open representative offices in each other's capitals.

The establishment of embassies in Lisbon and Hanoi in 2025 is a groundbreaking step, demonstrating the strategic determination of the high-level leaders of both countries, opening up even broader avenues for cooperation, especially in areas of long-term importance. I believe that the presence of the embassies will establish a direct link not only between Vietnam and Portugal but also between the two regions and the entire Community of Portuguese-Speaking Nations. The new representative offices will meet the aspirations and interests of the people of both countries, while making a positive contribution to shared peace and prosperity.

I am deeply honored and proud to have been entrusted by the Party, State, and Government leaders with the responsibility of establishing the Vietnamese Representative Office in Portugal. Aware of this, since the beginning of May 2025, I, along with the first group of officials who arrived to take up our duties in Portugal, have strived to do our utmost to successfully complete all assigned tasks. Our goal is to elevate the image of the Embassy to match the country's standing, enhance the role of the Representative Office as a bridge in bilateral relations, and contribute to the increasingly deep and substantive development of bilateral relations. We hope the Embassy will be a common home, uniting the Vietnamese community in Portugal and connecting them with their homeland.

"The opening of the Embassy not only creates a direct bridge between Vietnam, the gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, and Portugal, a center of innovation, a gateway to Europe and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, but also brings practical benefits to the people of both countries, making a positive contribution to peace, stability, and development in each region."

Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Phan Đình Trạc delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Vietnamese Embassy in Portugal.

President Luong Cuong presents the Decision appointing Mr. Nguyen Manh Thang as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

According to the Ambassador, what are the areas of cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and Portugal? What plans does the Embassy have to explore and develop that potential?

Although economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries is still modest, with annual bilateral trade reaching only $700 million, I believe that both countries have great potential and room for improvement in the future.

Despite its relatively small size, Portugal is one of the leading countries in the EU in maritime economy, science and technology, innovation and renewable energy, tourism, and education and training – areas where both Vietnam and Portugal have a need for cooperation. These are also priority areas of cooperation agreed upon by high-level leaders of both sides in recent bilateral meetings.

In addition, local cooperation has also developed positively in recent times. Several major Portuguese cities, such as Porto and Nova Vila de Gaia, have established sister city relationships with Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province; Braga has proactively proposed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hung Yen province, creating an effective cooperation channel that complements the cooperation channel between the two governments. Regarding cooperation between universities, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City is promoting the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Porto, fostering academic exchange and the exchange of students and teachers between the two training and research centers of the two countries.

Based on identifying priority areas for cooperation with Portugal, the Embassy will initially work with ministries, departments, and local authorities in Vietnam and Portugal to understand cooperation needs, thereby proposing specific cooperation contents and outlining implementation measures. In the long term, the Embassy will promote the signing of cooperation agreements in areas where both countries have strengths, laying the foundation for deeper and more effective bilateral cooperation in these fields.

The Embassy will coordinate the organization of seminars and business roundtables with the participation of agencies and businesses from both countries, providing information, supporting businesses in both countries to access markets, and strengthening market research and understanding to contribute to promoting bilateral trade and boosting investment activities in Vietnam as well as in Portugal.

The launch ceremony of the Portugal-Vietnam Friendship Association took place on June 13th in Porto, Portugal.

What are the ambassador's aspirations and goals during his "pioneering" term in a country considered a center of innovation, a gateway to Europe, and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries?

My goal is to promote breakthroughs in bilateral relations, especially in trade and investment; to strive to increase bilateral trade to US$1 billion per year (compared to US$700 million currently), to attract large Portuguese corporations to invest in Vietnam in areas where they have strengths such as renewable energy, science and technology, and innovation, while supporting Vietnamese businesses to increase exports to the Portuguese market and, through it, to Portuguese-speaking countries.

The Embassy will also strive to further promote the image of Vietnam and its people to local friends, in order to foster people-to-people exchanges and attract Portuguese tourists to Vietnam. I sincerely hope that there will soon be direct flights connecting the major cities of the two countries.

What aspects of this Southwestern European country and its people impressed the Ambassador the most?

Portugal is a peaceful country with a mild climate, diverse landscapes, a high quality of life, and a rich cultural tradition. Portugal has a long history, was once a maritime power, and possesses numerous cultural and scientific achievements, as well as architectural heritage sites recognized by UNESCO.

Portuguese people are friendly, hospitable, and open to foreigners. With a population of around 10 million, this Southwestern European country welcomes over 30 million tourists annually. In particular, the locals are huge football fans, and the Portuguese national team is considered the "Brazilian team" of Europe. This will be one of the areas of cooperation between Vietnam and Portugal.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!