Both sides have exchanged official visits of high ranking officials, most notably those of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to Vietnam in 2000, Vietnamese former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to Algeria in 2004 and most recently Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit to Algieria. The two countries signed many agreements to create a legal framework for multilateral cooperation.

The Vietnam-Algeria Friendship Organisation, the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Organisation, and friendship groups of congressmen in both countries have also been established.

Thousands of Algerian people practice Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art, and join the Vovinam Association and Ho Chi Minh Clubs.

The two countries’ total trade turnover has increased from US$6 million in 2000 to US$100 million in 2008 and is expected to increase substantially this year. The first Vietnamese oil exploration joint venture in Algeria, established in 2005, has found its first oil field and is preparing to exploit it in 2010.

More than 1,000 Vietnamese workers and engineers are taking part in building the East-West Highway in Algeria. Half of them are employed by Vietnamese companies based in the country as sub-contractors.

The Algerian economy is in a transition period and there are some differences in structure and policies that pose great challenges for Vietnamese businesses. However, businesses have learned many valuable lessons to solve the problems. They should be patient and bold to become successful, the Ambassador said.