October 28, 2025 marks the 63rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Algeria (1962–2025). However, the bond and solidarity between the two countries were nurtured even earlier. The Algerian people and leadership have long expressed special admiration for Vietnam, particularly for the 1954 Dien Bien Phu victory, and strongly supported Vietnam during the resistance war against American imperialism as well as in the country’s post-war reconstruction.

President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap remain deeply respected figures in Algeria. The country was also one of Vietnam’s strongest supporters in Africa during the struggle for national liberation and in later stages of national development.

Building on this foundation of traditional friendship, bilateral relations have been steadily reinforced and expanded. Vietnam and Algeria maintain a high level of political trust and consistently support each other at regional and international forums.

As the third-largest economy in Africa, with its GDP expected to exceed US$260 billion in 2025 and growth projected at 3.8%, Algeria plays an important economic role in the region. Its diversified economic structure, including agriculture, industry, and services, offers substantial cooperation opportunities for partners, including Vietnam.

The two countries have signed numerous important cooperation documents, such as the Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Cooperation Agreement between their trade promotion agencies, and the Memorandum of Understanding between their Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Since 2001, bilateral trade has grown steadily with greater participation from private enterprises. In the first ten months of 2025, trade turnover reached nearly US$500 million, an increase of more than 200% compared to the same period last year.

One of the highlights of bilateral economic cooperation is the joint petroleum exploration project of PetroVietnam in Algeria, considered one of the group’s most successful overseas investments. Beyond oil and gas, Algeria is also calling on Vietnamese enterprises to invest in promising sectors such as agriculture, agricultural processing, aquaculture, textiles, construction, logistics, tourism, and mining.

At the 13th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee held in Algiers on November 16-17, both sides reaffirmed their intention to strengthen traditional areas of cooperation, including trade, oil and gas exploration, and agriculture, while at the same time expanding collaboration into new and promising fields such as industry, renewable energy, scientific research, digital transformation and technology, innovation and start-ups, tourism, higher education, construction, and transport.

Both sides also agreed to continue coordinating closely in preparation for the official visit to Algeria by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, considering this an important occasion to pave the way for the signing of new cooperation agreements. They expressed their shared determination to generate fresh momentum for bilateral relations, deepen the longstanding friendship between the two countries, and work toward elevating the Vietnam–Algeria partnership to a new stage of development, potentially moving toward a future strategic partnership.

In cultural and sports cooperation, Algeria currently has four streets named after Vietnamese cultural and historical figures. Notably, two major boulevards in the capital Algiers and the economic centre Oran are named after President Ho Chi Minh; another street is named after hero Nguyen Van Troi, and one more honours Prince of Annam - Emperor Ham Nghi.

Vovinam has grown rapidly in Algeria, with around 15,000 practitioners training and competing at nearly 200 clubs nationwide since the establishment of the Algerian Vovinam Federation in 2013.

Vietnam–Algeria relations are a valuable asset built over decades and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and generations of leaders from both countries. Prime Minister Chinh’s visit further strengthens this foundation, marking an important milestone in advancing bilateral cooperation in a more dynamic, comprehensive, and effective direction.

Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee meeting opens new momentum for cooperation

The 13th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee was held in Algiers from November 16-17, immediately prior to the official visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Algeria.