Hanoi (VNA) - Today marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Ireland (April 5, 1996-2026), opening a new chapter of meaningful cooperation and development between the two countries.
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1996, the two countries have steadily deepened their partnership. Milestones such as Ireland's opening of its embassy in Hanoi in 2005, Party General Secretary To Lam's visit to Ireland in 2024, and the inauguration of Vietnam's Embassy in Dublin on March 26, 2026, have strengthened political relations while expanding cooperation in many fields.
Vietnamese students in Ireland have bridged geographical distance through education, cultural exchange and personal experience, becoming an important link between the two nations.
Education has long been a cornerstone of the Vietnam-Ireland cooperation. As both countries place innovation, science and technology at the heart of development, investing in high-quality human resources has become a long-term strategic priority.
Within this framework, Vietnamese students in Ireland have emerged as important contributors, not through numbers alone but through the knowledge they acquire and the impact they create.
Supported by Irish Government scholarships and opportunities at leading universities, Vietnamese students are studying in fields ranging from information technology and sustainable development to healthcare and life sciences. Many have participated in internationally recognised research projects and practical innovations with global applications.
Between 2020 and 2024, Vietnamese applicants consistently secured 10 of the 60 annual Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships worldwide. In 2025, that number rose to 17. Each year, another 10-15 Vietnamese students receive awards under the Irish Fellowship Programme, while many others earn scholarships from Irish universities.
Beyond their academic achievements, many graduates have gone on to work for multinational technology companies such as Meta and Google, contributing to the global innovation ecosystem. Others have returned to Vietnam, bringing international expertise to business, academia and public policy.
In both directions, they are creating enduring channels for knowledge exchange between Vietnam and Ireland.
According to Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, Ireland has awarded more than 360 fully funded scholarships to Vietnamese students since 2007. Many alumni have returned to make significant contributions in business, healthcare and government. She said she believes people-to-people exchanges will remain key to advancing bilateral ties, as young people from both countries become increasingly interested in each other's cultures through education, tourism and business.
A new generation is therefore emerging as an important force in people-to-people diplomacy. They are helping create new opportunities for cooperation in education, culture and the economy while raising Vietnam's profile in Ireland.
Their contributions also reflect the spirit of the Politburo's Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context, which calls for stronger coordination across Party diplomacy, state diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. Through their academic achievements, Vietnamese students are helping strengthen Vietnam's international standing and support national development.
In recent years, Vietnamese students have become increasingly active in cultural events across Ireland, serving as informal ambassadors for their country.
They have taken part in Dublin's Lunar New Year celebrations organised by the city council and helped stage the first "Homeland Spring" programme in Ireland, introducing international audiences to Vietnamese traditional dress, music and cuisine.
Vietnamese students have also participated in major diplomatic events, including welcoming Party General Secretary To Lam during his visit to Ireland in October 2024 and attending the inauguration of Vietnam's Embassy in Dublin in March 2026.
Representatives of the Vietnamese Students' Association in Ireland have also expressed their commitment to strengthening support for the Vietnamese community while building closer links with student organisations in Vietnam.
As students, organisers and connectors, young Vietnamese in Ireland are helping shape the next chapter of bilateral relations.
Armed with knowledge, global perspectives and a strong sense of cultural identity, they are becoming effective ambassadors for Vietnam, promoting the country's heritage while strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations./.
