Plenty of cooperation opportunities between Peru and Vietnam

VOV: Ambassador Rasez, could you please tell us about Peru’s policy in cooperation with Vietnam, or in other words, what is Vietnam's position in Peru's cooperation policy with the Asian region?

Ambassador Rasez: Just as Vietnam views its connection to Peru as valuable in the Latin American context, Peru reciprocates this sentiment and places great importance on its cooperative relationship with Vietnam. This dynamic is particularly notable against the backdrop of Peru’s recently becoming a “development partner” of ASEAN earlier this year.

There is bilateral cooperation in various areas: political-diplomatic, economic-commercial, cultural, among others. The 30 years of ties with Vietnam have meant a process towards establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between both countries.

We have permanent relationship procedures, such as the Political Consultation Mechanism between Peru and Vietnam at the level of Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which meets periodically to evaluate the bilateral relationship as a whole. There is also the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Affairs and Technical Cooperation also at the level of Vice Ministers, which deals particularly with trade and investment topics.

Likewise, in recent years there have been bilateral meetings at the highest level. The last one between the Presidents of Peru and Vietnam took place in November 2023 in San Francisco, United States, on the sidelines of the APEC Leaders Meeting. And the Foreign Ministers of both countries met in May 2024, during the OECD Ministerial Council Conference in Paris. In 2024, Peru will host APEC, so we anticipate having the most important leaders and businessmen from Vietnam visit our country.

Additionally, Peru and Vietnam are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-pacific partnership (CPTPP), so we expect that trade exchange – which in 2023 reached more than US$700 million – will continue to grow, especially by Peruvian exports to Vietnam, to achieve greater balance in the bilateral trade.

As can be seen, the exchange and dialogue at the political and economic-commercial level is very dynamic. Peru is currently Vietnam’s sixth trading partner in Latin America and we hope to continue on a path of growth. 

In the cultural field, the Embassy carries out various activities every year in order to bring our history and culture closer to the people of Vietnam.

VOV: To mark 30 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Peru this November, do you plan any specific activities to promote bilateral cooperation on this occasion? With two-way trade flourishing in recent times, what are fields with great potential for cooperation, Ambassador?

Ambassador Rasez: In order to increase Peru’s economic and commercial presence in Vietnam, more exchanges of delegations at all levels are necessary, and precisely in 2024, when celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations, in May 2024 we had the first trade mission of Peruvian businessmen to Vietnam. Also, we will soon have a technical delegation from the National Agriculture Health Services of Peru visiting Vietnam to work with their local counterparts in gaining approval for the access of more Peruvian agricultural products.

Likewise, during 2024 we plan to hold the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Affairs and Technical Cooperation at the level of Vice Ministers.

Given that Peru is hosting APEC in 2024, Vietnamese authorities have been visiting Peru to collaborate on various topics related to the forum. In November we hope that the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam will arrive in Peru to participate in the APEC Leaders’ Summit.

In the cultural field, to mark 30 years of diplomatic relations, we are organizing a photographic exhibition from July 18 to 23 which is open to the public at Gallery 93 Dinh Tien Hoang in Hoan Kiem about the Natural Reserves of Peru. In October we will host a Quechua Pop (Q-Pop) music concert at the Hanoi Opera House.

VOV: As far as we know you just came to Vietnam in early May to start your term as Ambassador. Can you tell me some feelings about the country and people of Vietnam?

Ambassador Rasez: It is the first time that I have been in Southeast Asia, and Vietnam in particular, and I am impressed by the socio-economic development achieved by Vietnam, which continues on an upward projection. I am also inspired by the warmth and industriousness of its people as well as the quality and variety of its cuisine. Since my arrival, I have been able to visit some historically rich places, such as Hue and Hoi An, and Hanoi itself, as well as majestic landscapes, such as Ha Long Bay.

As Ambassador of Peru, I feel fortunate to be discovering and getting to know the country, its history, and its culture. I love Vietnamese cuisine and some of my personal favorites are the egg coffee, fresh spring rolls, bánh mì (baguette) and fried banana cake. The egg coffee is just such a unique and captivating beverage with the rich, creamy foam that tops the strong, aromatic coffee. In Peru, we mainly drink coffee made from the Arabica bean, which has a smoother, more delicate taste. That's because Arabica is the main type of coffee grown in our country. But in Vietnam, they really prefer a strong, bold coffee made from the Robusta bean. And the Vietnamese egg coffee is a good example of this. When you sit on those little stools on the street and sip the rich, creamy coffee topped with an egg foam, you really get a taste of Vietnam's distinct coffee culture.

During my stay in Vietnam I plan to further explore the country's incredibly diverse and nutritious cuisine. Both Peruvian and Vietnamese gastronomy are recognized as being among the best in the world, offering an amazing variety of iconic dishes that delight the palate with their distinctive flavors.

VOV: So what are your objectives during the new working term in Vietnam, Ambassador?

Ambassador Rasez: One of the main goals is to promote the expansion of trade and investment, particularly Peruvian exports to Vietnam. Moreover, we look forward to more rapid approval and agreements to further open the agricultural markets from both countries. With the inauguration of the Chancay Megaport in Peru this November, the maritime transport time between Peru and Vietnam and vice versa will shorten from 40 to 25 days, which will increase the capacity and efficiency to the exchange of goods and will also open opportunities in the sector of logistics services.

Investment is also an area in which both countries still have a lot of potential. Currently, Peru is the Latin American country where Vietnam has the most important investment projects with the companies Viettel and PetroVietnam, but there is still room for Vietnamese companies of manufacturing and service industries to invest, taking advantage of the competitive conditions that both countries have as members of the CPTPP and have zero tariffs for various products and with the Port of Chancay, an ideal passageway to other countries of America.

Additionally, we intend to maintain on a regular basis and in an effective manner the celebration of bilateral cooperation processes, such as the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Affairs and the Peru-Vietnam Political Dialogue Mechanism at the level of Vice Ministers.

VOV: Thank you so much!