President Thuong hosts official welcome ceremony for Kazakh counterpart

This marks the first time that President Kassym - Jomart Tokayev has visited Vietnam in a new position, as well as the first visit of a Kazakh President over the past 12 years.

The trip is of great significance for further promoting the friendly co-operation that exists between both sides, especially in terms of economics and trade.

The two countries first established diplomatic relations on June 29, 1992, with both nations enjoying a sound traditional friendship , as well as closely co-ordinating and supporting each other at the UN and other international forums.
Sound political relations have opened up plenty of fresh opportunities exist for economic and trade co-operation, with Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union signing the Free Trade Agreement in Kazakhstan back in 2015.

With the agreement taking effect since 2016, Kazakhstan represents the Vietnamese side’s second largest partner in the Eurasian Economic Union. As of 2021, bilateral trade between the two nations accounted for 10% of trade between the country and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The two sides boast great potential for tourism co-operation, especially after having direct flights. Currently, there are seven direct flights between Vietnam and Kazakhstan each week.

Since September, 2019, Kazakhstan has applied unilateral visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens for a 30 day- period. This official visit to the nation by President Kassym - Jomart Tokayev will mark a new chapter in joint co-operation in economics, trade, and tourism.

It is therefore expected that within the framework of the visit the two sides will sign more than 10 co-operation agreements, including  a joint action plan to spur the further development of economic and trade ties, along with an agreement on co-operation between the two sides on visa-free regime for their citizens.

This will actively support the exchange of tourism as a contribution to promoting investment, along with cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges.

Immediately after the official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the two State leaders held talks.

This comes after President Kassym - Jomart Tokayev and his high-ranking laid wreaths at the Monument of Heroic Martyrs and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the mausoleum.

The Kazakh President is currently on an official visit from August 20 to August 22 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong.