Ahead of the visit, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vietnam Poshitha Perera said the trip by Party General Secretary and President To Lam carries profound significance in both practical and symbolic terms, as Sri Lanka and Vietnam, two long-standing friends with more than five and a half decades of diplomatic relations, seek to elevate their traditional friendship into a more dynamic and forward-looking partnership.

Perera noted that 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, highlighted by the earlier state visit to Vietnam by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He said the visit injected fresh momentum into bilateral activities and reaffirmed the shared commitment of leaders of both countries to further deepen cooperation across a multitude of sectors.

The ambassador said the upcoming visit by Party General Secretary and President To Lam is expected to become an important milestone in bilateral relations, not only reinforcing the strong political trust that already exists between the two countries, but also elevating the multifaceted partnership to a higher and more strategic level.

He added that the visit will create an important opportunity for high-level dialogue, enabling both sides to align their visions on regional and global issues while strengthening mutual trust and understanding.

On the economic front, Perera said Sri Lanka expects the visit to generate fresh momentum for trade, investment and private-sector cooperation. According to him, the presence of a large business delegation accompanying Party General Secretary and President To Lam sends a clear signal of Vietnam’s commitment to expanding economic ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation with Sri Lanka.

Speaking about bilateral relations in recent years, the ambassador noted that Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1970 and was among the first countries to extend friendship to Vietnam. Over the past five and a half decades, relations between the two countries have developed on the basis of trust, mutual respect and consistent cooperation.

He said the two countries share similar historical experiences, having overcome challenges and the aftermath of conflicts, which has fostered a natural understanding between the two sides. The two countries have also consistently supported one another at international forums when needed, further strengthening political trust, he added.

Perera said bilateral relations in recent years have gained strong momentum through regular high-level visits and numerous agreements covering key areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, education, science and technology, and cultural cooperation. He stressed that people-to-people exchanges continue to serve as one of the strongest pillars of bilateral ties.

According to the ambassador, the Sri Lankan people hold deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, while cultural and religious exchanges continue to bring the peoples of the two countries closer together. He said the presence of a Vietnamese pagoda in Sri Lanka, together with active engagement between religious communities, reflects the special bond between the two countries.

On economic cooperation, the ambassador said more than 30 Sri Lankan companies have invested in Vietnam, with many Sri Lankan professionals contributing in management positions. Although bilateral trade has continued to grow steadily, he noted that substantial untapped potential remains for further expansion of cooperation.

Perera also expressed optimism about prospects for direct air connectivity between the two countries, saying this would further promote trade, tourism and investment while bringing business communities and people of the two countries closer together.

Speaking about sectors that could create breakthroughs in bilateral trade, the ambassador said the two countries need to move beyond traditional trade models toward deeper structural cooperation. He noted that integration into regional and global value chains should be a priority, with Sri Lanka and Vietnam able to position themselves as complementary partners by combining Vietnam’s manufacturing strengths with Sri Lanka’s strategic location and market access.

He said promoting joint ventures in textiles, the rubber industry, electronics assembly and light industrial manufacturing would allow the two countries to target third-country markets more effectively. He also said agriculture and agro-processing cooperation still offer considerable room for growth, particularly in value addition, technology transfer and joint research.

According to the ambassador, logistics and maritime connectivity should be strengthened as a supporting pillar, while the digital economy and innovation ecosystem should also be more fully utilised. He said tourism and air connectivity would play a catalytic role in promoting trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Addressing cultural and religious cooperation, Perera said Vietnam and Sri Lanka share deep cultural similarities, with Buddhism serving as a lasting bond between the peoples of the two countries. He noted that religious links between the two sides had existed even before the establishment of formal diplomatic ties and continue to serve as a cultural and moral foundation for bilateral relations today.

The ambassador said Sri Lanka and Vietnam continue to promote a range of cultural and spiritual exchange initiatives, including Sri Lanka’s gift of a sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree to Bai Dinh Pagoda in 2023. He said the Bodhi tree now stands as a living symbol of the two countries’ shared Buddhist heritage.

According to Perera, Truc Lam Monastery, the first Vietnamese pagoda in Sri Lanka located in the ancient city of Kandy, has become a vibrant centre for cultural and spiritual exchanges between the two countries. He said the site has become a source of inspiration as local children learn the Vietnamese language and explore Vietnamese culture there, reflecting people-to-people connections in their most sincere form.

The ambassador also said Sri Lanka is promoting the “Temple-to-Temple Diplomacy” initiative aimed at strengthening connections among monks, scholars and communities from the two countries. According to him, the initiative not only strengthens religious ties but also enhances mutual understanding, particularly among younger generations.

He said many Vietnamese monks and nuns regularly travel to Sri Lanka to study Buddhism, showing the strong and enduring spiritual links between the two nations.

Perera noted that the two sides have also signed memoranda of understanding aimed at further boosting cooperation in Buddhist education.

Looking ahead, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Vietnam is focusing on expanding spiritual tourism and educational cooperation, while expressing hope that direct flights and visa facilitation measures will significantly increase Buddhist pilgrimages and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

In addition, Sri Lanka is seeking to expand cooperation with Vietnam in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation while sharing its long-standing expertise in protecting ancient monuments and traditions.

The ultimate goal is to transform the deep spiritual connection between the two countries into a dynamic platform for closer ties, helping younger generations better understand, appreciate and connect with one another in the future, the Sri Lankan diplomat emphasized.

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