Vietnam and Spain established diplomatic relations on May 23, 1977, and established the framework of “Strategic Partnership towards the Future” (December 2009). Spain is Vietnam's first strategic partner in the EU.

Over the past time, the Vietnam - Spain relationship has continued to develop well through delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels. The two countries have actively cooperated and supported each other in multilateral mechanisms, especially within the framework of the United Nations and ASEAN - EU.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has sympathy and wishes to promote the Vietnam - Spain Strategic Partnership.

vna potal prime minister pham minh chinh meets spanish prime minister pedro sanchez perez castejon 649261415 20 19 31.jpg
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Spanish Prime Minister met within the framework of the ASEAN - EU Summit in Belgium (December 2022) and the G20 Summit in Brazil (November 2024).

Spain is Vietnam's 5th largest trading partner in the EU. Vietnam is Spain's largest trading partner in ASEAN. During the 2019-2024 period, bilateral trade turnover maintained an average growth rate of 8.7% per year.

Bilateral trade turnover in 2024 will reach 4.72 billion USD (the highest level ever), up 20% compared to 2023. The import-export structure between Vietnam and Spain is complementary, not directly competitive.

Spain has 97 projects in Vietnam with a capital of 143.88 million USD (ranked 46/148 countries and territories); focusing on the fields of processing, manufacturing and accommodation and catering services. Vietnam has 3 investment projects in Spain with a capital of 64.2 million USD in the fields of scientific and technological research and processing and manufacturing industries.

Spain has committed to providing Vietnam with ODA loans and non-refundable aid worth more than 1 billion USD through mainly 5 financial cooperation programs in a number of areas such as infrastructure, sustainable development, promoting gender equality, healthcare, and science and technology.

The two sides are completing procedures to sign Framework Protocol on Financial Cooperation 6 with a preferential credit worth 305 million euros.

The two sides maintain delegation exchanges, defense training and language training for Vietnamese officers and cadres.

Vietnam currently unilaterally exempts visas for Spanish citizens for 45 days. In 2024, Vietnam will welcome 91,400 Spanish tourists.

Spain has supported Vietnam with a number of non-refundable projects in the fields of rural development, policies to support the development of small and medium enterprises, seafood processing, etc. The two sides are discussing a number of cooperation contents on seafood, coffee, processing of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and salt production.

In the field of adoption, the two sides maintain cooperation within the framework of signed conventions and agreements. 1,000 Vietnamese children are being adopted by Spanish families.

There are about 5,000 Vietnamese people residing in Spain, mainly small traders who have integrated into the local community.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thu-tuong-tay-ban-nha-pedro-sanchez-sap-tham-viet-nam-2388306.html