Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Belarus at the invitation of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko will create remarkable driving forces for the multi-faceted relations while strengthening the friendship as well as mutual trust and understanding between the two countries, according to a diplomat.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Uladzimir Baravikou acknowledged important historical celebrations of both nations, including the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's national reunification, the anniversary of Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory, and the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.
Against the backdrop, the Vietnamese Party leader’s visit holds great significance, he stated, saying he is confident that it will open up a new chapter in the bilateral relations which were built on friendship, trust, assistance and mutual understanding.
The ambassador emphasised how the friendship has stood the test of time, with Belarusians, along with other Soviet peoples, contributing to Vietnam's victory over US imperialism and post-war reconstruction, while thousands of Vietnamese citizens having studied and worked in Belarus.
Party General Secretary To Lam and President Lukashenko are sincerely committed to elevating the relations to a new height, he added.
Notable achievements in bilateral relations
Discussing the highlights of Belarus-Vietnam cooperation, Ambassador Baravikou noted that Vietnam has been Belarus's priority partner in Southeast Asia. Over the past three decades since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, both sides have built a solid foundation, with regular diplomatic exchanges, more than 100 hundreds of bilateral documents signed, and dozens of projects in economy-trade and investment carried out.
The scope of cooperation is broad and diverse, ranging from defence and security to culture, sports, and tourism, he said.
In just the past three years, over 20 visits by leaders and security officials have taken place, with dozens of bilateral documents signed. Regular information and technology exchanges have contributed significantly to security, peace, and defence capabilities of both countries.
A recent priority has been simplifying contact between citizens of both countries. This year, a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders between Vietnam and Belarus comes into effect while direct flights are expected to be launched in the near future.
Belarusians love Vietnamese resorts and appreciate the local climate and high-quality services, he remarked, hoping Vietnamese citizens will visit Belarusian health resorts, nature reserves, and famous military sites.
Trade, economic, and investment cooperation remains a cornerstone in the bilateral relations. Belarus is striving to develop balanced and mutually beneficial trade relations with Vietnam, considering Vietnam its strategic partner and a “window” for expanding Belarusian exports to Southeast Asia, he underlined.
According to the diplomat, Belarus stands ready to contribute to Vietnam's food security, including the imminent supply of beef products to the market.
Industrial cooperation has emerged as a new form of partnership, exemplified by the successful joint automobile assembly project in Vietnam's northern province of Hung Yen. Other promising projects are under development, with BelAZ dump trucks, MAZ trucks, and high-performance Belarus tractors favoured in Vietnam.
The Southeast Asian country has expressed interest in Belarus’s technological expertise in high-tech fields, digitalisation, industry, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food production, and many other areas, the ambassador noted, stressing Belarus is willing to cooperate closely in exchanging cutting-edge technologies to strengthen Vietnam's technological security.
Vietnamese rice, grains, coffee, fruits, and fish products to Belarus continue to increase while made-in-Vietnam microchips and electronic equipment have been popular in the country.
Record-breaking trade and future cooperation potential
In 2023, two-way trade reached a record high in the history of the modern bilateral relations, partly due to the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which will mark its 10th anniversary on May 29, 2025.
Belarus, holding the EAEU Chairmanship this year, is ready to facilitate effective implementation of the agreement, including promoting the presence of Vietnamese goods in EAEU member states' markets.
He noted several priority areas for enhancing cooperation, with trade and economy placed at the centre, given the complementary nature of the two economies. Belarus is willing to share with Vietnam technology and expertise in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, digitalisation, and food production.
The diplomat went on to highlight Belarus's recent achievements in nuclear energy and space technology, including the successful operation of its first nuclear power plant and the launch of Belarus's first cosmonaut, Marina Vasilevskaya, to the International Space Station in March 2024. He described this as promising areas for cooperation between the two countries.
It is necessary to promote regular contacts, he said, developing relations between individuals and organisations, holding cultural events, and implementing education projects will bring the two countries closer together.
He expressed his confidence that both sides have great prospects for cooperation, with the traditional and sincere friendship serving as the foundation for bolstering the dynamic development of the bilateral ties./.
Party leader’s visit expected to boost friendship, cooperation with Belarus
This is Lam's first visit to Belarus in his capacity as the Party General Secretary and marks the first trip by a Vietnamese Party chief to the Eastern European nation in 11 years.
