HCM City ceremony marks 50 years of Vietnam – Malaysia diplomacy
VOV.VN - A meeting was held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 13 to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Malaysia.
Vietnam and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on March 30, 2023. Bilateral cooperative relations have developed positively in all fields, bringing great and practical benefits for the two countries as well as contributing to peace, stability and common prosperity in the region.
In August 2015, the two countries agreed to lift their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, creating a solid foundation for their long-term and comprehensive development.
During the visits to Vietnam by Prime Minister Mahathir in August 2019 and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri in March 2022, the two countries’ senior leaders pledged to deepen political cooperation through promoting and maintaining regular high-level visit exchanges and contacts.
Malaysia is one of Vietnam’s 10 largest trading partners. Bilateral trade turnover has increased steadily over the years, reaching nearly US$14.8 billion. The two sides both attach great importance to further strengthening trade cooperation in a balanced and sustainable manner towards the goal of raising their trade turnover to US$18 billion by 2025.
The two sides agreed to facilitate the opening of markets for each other’s key export products, including agricultural and aquatic products, Halal products, processed foods, electronic components and finished products.
Malaysia is also one of the 10 largest foreign investors in Vietnam, with more than 700 valid projects valued at US$13.08 billion. Malaysian businesses are increasingly involved in investing in the fields of high-quality infrastructure, energy, high technology, digital economy, digital transformation and smart cities in Vietnam.
Both sides have also become important partners in tourism, educational, and labour cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges. They have coordinated closely within ASEAN and at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN-led mechanisms, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
“By working closely together, we will build a bright and prosperous future for both countries,” said Phan Van Mai, head of the Ho Chi Minh City administration, at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato Tan Yang recalled major milestones in bilateral relations, saying Malaysia sees great potentials and opportunities in Vietnam and it will continue to further strengthen trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam, especially in potential fields.