Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan during his participation in the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference, on the afternoon of June 8, 2025 (local time), in Nice, France. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)
At the invitation of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will pay an official visit to Vietnam from November 12-13, 2025.
On this occasion, a VNA reporter in the Middle East-North Africa interviewed Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep - Vietnam's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and concurrently to Jordan - about this visit.
- Ambassador, how do you assess the significance of the Jordanian King's first-ever visit to Vietnam, especially as this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries? Based on previous contacts, what impressions has the Jordanian King shared about Vietnam and its people?
Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep : Taking place in the context of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (August 9, 1980 - August 9, 2025), the visit of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan to Vietnam is of great significance. This is the first visit by the head of the Kingdom of Jordan to Vietnam and the first exchange of delegations at the Head of State/Government level between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
This also marks the first visit by a Middle Eastern head of state to Vietnam in nine years. The visit signifies a historic milestone in bilateral relations, opening a new phase of cooperation and laying the groundwork for promoting cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Through previous contacts with Vietnamese leaders, the King of Jordan expressed a very positive impression of Vietnam and its people; praising the Vietnamese people for their diligence and hard work, and admiring Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements and strong progress.
The King of Jordan expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, in political, economic, and social fields. The King emphasized that he "has a special affection for Vietnam and wishes to visit Vietnam as soon as possible."
- What special activities is the King of Jordan expected to undertake during his upcoming visit? What are the Ambassador's expectations for this historic visit regarding bilateral relations?
Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep : It is expected that the King of Jordan will hold talks with President Luong Cuong, witness the signing of documents; meet with key Vietnamese leaders; speak at the Vietnam-Jordan Business Forum, attend the Textile and Garment Business Roundtable; lay wreaths in commemoration of fallen heroes and martyrs and visit the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.
I expect that this visit will lead to breakthroughs in bilateral relations in all areas in the coming period. In terms of politics and diplomacy, the two countries will strengthen exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations; and continue to coordinate closely and support each other in international forums and organizations.
In terms of economics, trade, and investment, the two sides will promote trade turnover to reach US$500 million by 2030 and US$1 billion by 2035. In addition, the two sides will strengthen cooperation on food security, promote cooperation in the Halal sector, including human resource training, production, processing, packaging, distribution, and mutual recognition of Halal certifications.
In addition, enhanced cooperation in education and training, and the development of high-quality human resources in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and green energy will be promoted, alongside boosting tourism promotion, which are potential areas of cooperation for both sides.
- Ambassador, could you share some of the outstanding bilateral collaborations in the past, as well as potential areas and strengths that Vietnam and Jordan should focus on in the coming period?
Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep : Over the past period, the two countries have closely coordinated and supported each other in international forums and organizations. Trade turnover in 2024 reached approximately 190 million USD, of which Vietnam exported more than 95% (nearly 181 million USD), mainly agricultural and aquatic products, electronic products and consumer goods.
Regarding investment, as of the end of September 2025, Jordan had 5 active investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered investment capital of 1 million USD, ranking 108th out of 153 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.
In the coming period, both sides need to strengthen exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations; continue to coordinate closely and support each other in international forums and organizations; enhance cooperation in the field of food security, promote cooperation on Halal, education and training, develop high-quality human resources, and at the same time boost tourism promotion and marketing.
- What advice does the Ambassador have for Vietnamese businesses wishing to access and cooperate with the Jordanian market in particular and the Middle Eastern market in general?
Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep : Jordan in particular and the Middle Eastern market in general are potential areas for Vietnamese businesses. To do business effectively in this region, businesses first need to thoroughly understand Islamic culture and local business practices (Middle Eastern countries value religion, customs, and Islamic culture, so businesses need to avoid products, images, or communication methods that are religiously sensitive, and at the same time, focus on personal relationships and trust).
In addition, Vietnamese businesses also need to strengthen their presence, promote their products, and participate in major specialized trade fairs in Dubai (UAE), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Doha (Qatar), etc., such as Gulfood, Arab Health, the Big 5, and ADIPEC, to find partners.
To gain a competitive advantage, businesses should prioritize investment in sectors that align with regional needs and those with potential, such as agricultural products, food, Halal production, seafood, building materials, consumer goods, textiles, renewable energy, logistics, information technology, and skilled labor.
Businesses also need to manage risks and payments effectively, avoid transactions through unclear intermediaries, and carefully check the reputation of partners before entering into collaborations.
- What are the Ambassador's particular impressions and memories of Jordan, a country rich in wonders and ancient monuments?
Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep : I am very impressed with Petra, a world cultural heritage site and "one of humanity's most precious cultural assets." In 2007, Petra was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra has also been the setting for many famous films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Mummy Returns, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Petra is known as "The Rose City" because its sandstone cliffs are a vibrant pink that changes color with the sunlight. Petra was built over 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans, an ancient Arab people renowned for their stone carving skills and control of trade routes for spices and silk connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. Petra is not just a city, but a marvel carved entirely into the rock face.
In Petra, I was incredibly impressed by Al-Khazneh (“The Treasury”) – Petra’s most famous structure, approximately 40 meters high and intricately carved directly into the pink cliff face. Besides “The Treasury,” Petra also boasts The Monastery (Ad-Deir) – the most magnificent structure, situated high up and requiring a climb of over 800 stone steps to reach.
Petra also boasts the Roman Theater, a Roman-style theater with a capacity of approximately 3,000 people; the Royal Tombs, a complex of Nabataean royal tombs; and an elaborate underground water system and reservoirs, evidence of engineering far beyond its time.
Petra is not just a tourist destination, but also a symbol of Jordanian identity, representing the interplay between nature, creativity, and millennia of history. Petra is a living testament to the talent and wisdom of ancient people, a source of pride for Jordanians, and a symbol of resilience, creativity, and peace—values that the country continues to pursue throughout history.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/quoc-vuong-jordan-tham-viet-nam-giai-doan-hop-tac-moi-cho-quan-he-hai-nuoc-post1076114.vnp
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