In his opening speech, Vo Van Hoan, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City municipal administration, reviewed major milestones in Vietnam – Hungary relations, recalling that the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership in September 2018, marking the beginning of a new period of deeper and robust cooperation.

During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s recent visit to Hungary, the two Prime Ministers discussed major directions and specific measures to elevate the Vietnam-Hungary Comprehensive Partnership to new heights, with economic, trade, and investment cooperation as the main pillar. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban affirmed Vietnam has always been Hungary’s most important partner in Southeast Asia.

“Those high-level visits vividly demonstrate this strong relationship, and I firmly believe in the bright future of the Vietnam-Hungary Comprehensive Partnership, including the continuously growing cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Hungarian localities,” stressed Hoan.

The HCM City official also called on everyone to make efforts and stand together to contribute to the next chapters of the bilateral relationship.

Taking the floor, Consul General of Hungary in Ho Chi Minh City Lehocz Gabor recalled that Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize Vietnam’s independence, and after establishing diplomatic relations in February 1950, the two countries have strengthened cooperation across various fields.

He expressed deep appreciation for the recorded achievements, and acknowledged the two countries’ efforts in facing new challenges amid rapidly changing global trends.

According to the diplomat, the road ahead remains long and full of challenges. However, the most important shared goal of both countries is peace and stability, which serve as strong driving forces for Vietnam and Hungary to effectively respond to future challenges.

With a vision focused on sustainable development, the two countries can pursue successful cooperation policies in various fields such as innovation, digital transformation, and environmental protection, he said.

Hungary actively participated in and supported the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in 2020. Under this agreement, 99% of bilateral trade will be tariff-free by 2030. Gabor noted that the annual export turnover between the two countries has exceeded the US$1 billion mark for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022), with Vietnam being the largest Southeast Asian exporter to Hungary during this period.

On this significant anniversary, he remarked, all necessary conditions are in place for Vietnam-Hungary relations to grow even stronger.

Vietnam, Hungary boost comprehensive cooperation

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai recently held a working meeting with Stifter Adam, deputy state secretary for the Development of Eastern Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, in Budapest.