Kuwait

The PMs agreed to elevate their countries' relations to the Strategic Partnership while outlining major orientations to advance Vietnam – Kuwait relations in a stronger, more comprehensive, and sustainable manner. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared concern.

PM Pham Minh Chinh called on the Kuwait National Petroleum Company to share its experience, technology, management expertise, and investment cooperation in Vietnam’s oil and gas sector.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, Kuwait City on November 17.

Reports underlined the progress in Kuwait – Vietnam cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. Bilateral trade reached a record 7.3 billion USD in 2024, the highest between Vietnam and any Middle Eastern country.

The two groups agreed to assign technical teams to develop the discussed orientations into feasible cooperation programmes, initiatives and projects consistent with each side’s development strategy.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's trip marks the first visit by a Vietnamese government leader to Kuwait in 16 years, as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.

Praising the Vietnamese in Kuwait for their solidarity, mutual support, and efforts to build stable lives and integrate into the host society, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the Party and State always pay close attention to overseas Vietnamese, seeing them as an inseparable part, vital lifeblood, and key resource of the nation.

Kuwait is the first stop on PM Prime Minister Chinh’s working trip to three countries, including Algeria and South Africa. This is the first visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Kuwait in 16 years, and timed a head of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (January 10) next year.

PM Pham Minh Chinh's trip will elevate these relationships, delivering concrete outcomes in trade, investment, industry, mining, logistics, green supply chains and innovation with South Africa; expanding energy, investment, trade, processing industries, smart agriculture and education cooperation with Algeria; and deepening collaboration in finance, trade, investment, energy, green infrastructure, food security, ODA and the Halal industry with Kuwait.

During the trip to Kuwait, the Vietnamese PM is due to meet with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, hold talks with Kuwaiti PM Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and receive several ministers and executives of major Kuwaiti conglomerates.

Kuwait views Vietnam as a reliable partner and friend in Southeast Asia and is proud of the distinguished level bilateral relations have reached, both at the governmental and people-to-people levels, said Kuwaiti Ambassador to Vietnam Yousef Al-Sabbagh.

This is the first visit by a high-level Vietnamese leader to Kuwait in 16 years, taking place at a time when the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 2026, Vietnamese Ambassador to Kuwait Nguyen Duc Thang said, stressing that the time is ripe for both countries to consolidate and deepen their bilateral relationship, elevating it to new heights and making practical contributions to each country’s development goals.

The trips will be made at the invitations of PM Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah of Kuwait, PM Sifi Ghrieb of Algeria, and President of South Africa and G20 Chair for 2025 Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, according to an announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang said Vietnam and Kuwait should further enhance cooperation to contribute to each country’s development, build independent and self-reliant economies, and continue to reinforce multilateralism and adherence to international law, for the sake of peace and stability in the region and the world.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang and Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs of Kuwait Samee Essa Johar Hayat co-chaired the fourth political consultation between the two foreign ministries in Hanoi on December 13.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam met with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, and Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah in New York on September 24 (local time), on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future and the High-Level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly’s 79th session.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 16 sent a congratulatory message to Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on his appointment as the 46th Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait.

Ho Chi Minh City always pays attention to promoting cooperation with Kuwait, thus helping to develop Vietnam-Kuwait relations in a comprehensive and practical way and in line with the needs and potential of both sides, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan.

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong on December 21 sent a message of congratulations to Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on his accession to the throne as the Emir of Kuwait.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 18 sent congratulations to Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on his re-appointment as Prime Minister of Kuwait.