During the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the first visit of a Bhutanese head of state to Vietnam, calling it an important milestone in bilateral relations. He warmly congratulated Bhutan on the remarkable achievements made under the King’s wise reign, particularly in sustainable economic development linked with the preservation of traditional cultural identity and environmental protection.

He praised Bhutan’s steadfast pursuit of the “Gross National Happiness” philosophy, noting it as a source of inspiration for the international community in pursuing inclusive, balanced, and sustainable development.

Highlighting the positive development of bilateral relations since diplomatic ties were established in 2012, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam and Bhutan share many commonalities in culture, economy, and development goals aimed at improving the material and spiritual life of their people. He expressed confidence that the King’s state visit to Vietnam would be successful, providing new momentum for bilateral relations amid rapid and complex regional and international developments, and called for strengthened cooperation to jointly deal with common regional and global challenges.

PM Chinh briefed the King on Vietnam’s nation-building journey since gaining independence 80 years ago and shared the country’s current development orientation and objectives.

He emphasized Vietnam’s desire to deepen cooperation with Bhutan, suggesting both sides intensify more frequent high-level visits and exchanges; consider establishing bilateral cooperation mechanisms; continue reviewing and speeding up the signing of cooperation agreements; and strengthen economic connectivity through negotiation and conclusion of trade and investment agreements to facilitate market access for each other’s goods.

Vietnam is ready to export products Bhutan needs and in which Vietnam has strengths, such as food, consumer goods, construction materials, electronics, and components, and to import Bhutanese products, meeting the needs of both countries.

The Vietnamese Government chief also suggested expanding cooperation in security and cybercrime prevention; stepping up cooperation in potential sectors such as spiritual tourism, high-quality and organic agriculture, and traditional medicine; and establishing direct flights soon to push up cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

King Jigme expressed his pleasure at meeting the Prime Minister and gratitude for the warm and respectful welcome extended by Vietnam’s leaders and people to him and the Bhutanese delegation. He hailed Vietnam’s internal strength in overcoming past challenges, as well as the country’s prudent leadership, development orientations, strategies, and objectives, particularly its sustained high GDP growth, describing Vietnam as one of the few countries in the world with a successful development model.

The King agreed with and appreciated the PM’s proposals to beef up bilateral cooperation, considering them highly practical for strengthening future co-operation.

He sincerely shared the philosophy and vision of Bhutanese leaders in national development, affirming that, as a small country, Bhutan has devised its own development strategy to ensure the happiness and prosperity of its people, protect the environment, and maintain independence in the region and globally. Bhutan regards Vietnam as a trusted and important partner in the region and is committed to boosting cooperation with Vietnam in the coming period.

PM Chinh and King Jigme assessed that bilateral cooperation still holds great potential. On that basis, they consented to effectively leverage cooperation across all fields, elevate relations to a new height, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions as well as globally. They also agreed that Vietnam and Bhutan should continue strengthening information exchange, coordination, and mutual support at multilateral forums. Vietnam welcomed Bhutan’s efforts to increase practical cooperation with ASEAN and other regional mechanisms.

During the same day’s meeting with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man warmly welcomed the King, Queen, and Bhutanese delegation on their state visit, the first visit by a Bhutanese head of state to Vietnam, marking an important milestone in bilateral relations. He hailed the development of Vietnam-Bhutan relations, particularly the alignment of core values, the shared emphasis on preserving traditional culture, prioritizing people’s happiness, and close coordination in international forums.

The top Vietnamese legislator appreciated Bhutan’s unique development model based on the Gross National Happiness Index and its strategy of combining economic development with cultural preservation, environmental protection, and human well-being. Emphasizing Vietnam’s desire to deepen its friendship with Bhutan on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, he expressed confidence that the King’s visit would help take bilateral cooperation to a new level.

Man stressed that, although Vietnam-Bhutan relations have spanned just over a decade, they have achieved notable successes, including active cooperation between the two parliaments, both bilaterally and in multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

He affirmed that the Vietnam National Assembly highly values legislative cooperation with Bhutan, especially through delegation exchanges and participation in inter-parliamentary forums of which both legislatures are members. He extended an invitation for the Chairperson of Bhutan’s National Council and the Speaker of the National Assembly to visit Vietnam at a suitable time.

The top Vietnamese legislator also suggested increasing exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level parliamentary delegations, committees, support agencies, and other parliamentary mechanisms (female and young MPs), to share legislative and oversight experience and facilitate socio-economic development in each nation.

He proposed the early establishment of a Vietnam-Bhutan Friendship Group of Parliamentarians. In light of global challenges, Man accentuated the need for continued close coordination and expressed Vietnam’s support for Bhutan’s stance on safeguarding peace, stability, and cooperation in South Asia and globally.

He underscored that Vietnam, as a dynamic developing economy, is ready to bolster cooperation with Bhutan in sectors such as logistics, tourism, and high-tech agriculture. Vietnam encourages enterprises from both countries to study each other’s legal frameworks and policies and enhance connectivity to increase bilateral trade. The National Assembly pledges to provide legal and policy facilitation to support Bhutanese business activities in Vietnam.

In response, King Jigme showed his great joy at visiting Vietnam during such a momentous occasion and thanked the Party, Government, and National Assembly leadership for the warm reception of the delegation. He expressed admiration for and congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements, noting the positive results of bilateral cooperation and Vietnam’s remarkable accomplishments in its ongoing socio-economic reform. The King expressed confidence that Vietnam will successfully achieve its goal of becoming a developed country.

He agreed with the NA Chairman’s proposals, including intensifying high-level exchanges, parliamentary delegations, and sharing views and experience, and invited the Vietnam National Assembly to send a delegation to visit Bhutan.

Both sides concurred to fully exploit the potential of bilateral cooperation, prioritize economic co-operation, especially in fields where each has strengths, and continue close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums. They also agreed to strengthen information sharing and coordination on regional and international issues of common concern.

King of Bhutan highlights Vietnam’s regional role, pledges closer cooperation

VOV.VN - Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has affirmed his nation’s appreciation of Vietnam’s role and position in the Asia-Pacific region and expressed his wish to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual strength and potential, for the benefit of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world.

Bhutan, Vietnam look towards stronger bilateral ties

VOV.VN - Vietnam and Bhutan should augment co-operation and deepen mutual understanding towards further promoting bilateral ties, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet at a reception held on September 19 for Ambassador of Bhutan to Thailand and Vietnam Kinzang Dorji on the occasion of the diplomat's visit to Vietnam to present his credentials.