25 years of Vietnam-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations: Cordial, Effective and Promising
WVR - According to Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy, the Vietnam-Saudi Arabia relationship can be summarized and characterized by three words: Cordial, Effective and Promising.
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| Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy. (Photo: Thu Thanh) |
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-Saudi Arabia bilateral diplomatic relations (October 21, 1999-2024), The World & Viet Nam Report conducted an interview with Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy on the relationship between the two countries over the past quarter century and the prospects of it in the future.
This year marks 25th anniversary of Vietnam and Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations. How do you evaluate the relationship between the two countries over the years?
It is great to see the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam evolving and flourishing over the past quarter century since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1999, reflecting a journey of mutual respect and beneficial cooperation.
This year’s anniversary comes at a time when the bilateral relations between our two countries have been increasingly consolidated and have seen greater progress than ever before across spheres, notably in politics, diplomacy, trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
In political and diplomatic ties, the Kingdom and Vietnam have maintained a solid and supportive relationship. Both countries frequently endorse each other in multilateral and international organizations, and are committed to collaborating closely to promote a robust and distinctive relationship between GCC and ASEAN. This coordination illustrates our mutual trust and joint efforts for regional interconnection and international integration.
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| Logo designed by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Hanoi to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. |
Delegation exchanges at all levels between the two countries have also been further solidified in recent years, particularly post COVID-19 pandemic, with leaders and high-ranking officials from both countries regularly engaging in dialogues to discuss bilateral and regional issues.
Among these, the most recent notable engagement was the meeting between His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Excellency Phạm Minh Chính, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during the visit of His Excellency to Saudi Arabia to attend the GCC-ASEAN Summit in October 2023. Earlier, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, then His Excellency Ahmed Aqeel Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, also paid visits to Vietnam in March 2022 and August 2023, respectively. These visits have deepened the connectivity between the two countries and laid down important foundations for the bilateral cooperation, with the signing of key agreements and MOUs in various fields, including judiciary, crime prevention, tourism, commerce, agriculture, labour, air transportation, among others.
It is worth noting that a Vietnamese senior leader is expected to soon pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia, marking another significant milestone in our friendly relationship. Many cooperative documents are also being negotiated to be signed soon, in order to complete legal frameworks for boosting bilateral collaborations.
In terms of economic ties, the bilateral trade has grown steadily and substantially over the years, turning Saudi Arabia to one of Vietnam’s largest economic partners in the Middle East. The two-way trade turnover reached US$2.68 billion last year, up about 43% from US$1.87 billion in 2014, and amounted to US$2.22 billion in the first 9 months of 2024, an increase of 8.1% year-on-year.
In recent times, there has been a mutual increase in interest between Saudi and Vietnamese enterprises in each other's markets. This interest was manifested vividly through the two Vietnam-Saudi Arabia business forums held successfully last year in both countries. The forum in Hanoi, in particular, witnessed the largest Saudi trade delegation visit to Vietnam so far, with an unprecedented number of companies participating from both sides, generating opportunities for more vibrant business interactions. We look forward to enhanced trade engagements and stronger economic links in the years to come, given the huge prospects for economic and commercial collaboration between the Kingdom and Vietnam, especially in light of the two countries' determination to expand markets, attract investments, and implement economic reforms.
Beyond trade, cultural exchanges have woven a distinctive tapestry of friendship between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. Both nations value the importance of fostering mutual understanding and appreciation of each other’s rich cultural heritage. The two Embassies’ regular organization of events or exhibitions showcasing each nation’s culture and traditional arts demonstrates a shared dedication to strengthening bonds of friendship between our two peoples.
Cooperation in other areas, such as investment, development assistance, security, education, and labour, has also seen positive developments thanks to the efforts of both sides. The Saudi Arabia-Vietnam Joint Committee meetings are held regularly, through which recommendations and proposals have been proposed in many areas to develop the existing relations between the two countries in all aspects.
These results and achievements are testaments to the enduring friendship and continuous upswing in the Saudi Arabia-Vietnam relationship over the past 25 years. I am certain that our relations will continue to prosper further in the coming time.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) holds talks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 20, 2023. (Source: VGP) |
Please describe the Vietnam-Saudi Arabia relationship in three words and explain your choice?
The bilateral relationship between our two countries, in my view, can be summarized and characterized by the following three words:
“Cordial”: Saudi Arabia and Vietnam have built a solid friendship based on mutual appreciation and respect as well as high political trust and common interests, with harmony on all issues of interest to both sides and convergence of views on regional and international issues of common interest.
“Effective”: The cooperative relations between the two countries have made numerous significant achievements in all fields over the past 25 years, bringing benefits to both sides.
“Promising”: Given the great potential between the two countries along with the keenness and determination of the two leaderships to strengthen and develop bilateral relations, we can look forward to the future of our bilateral relations with optimism and confidence towards bright prospects ahead.
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| The ceremony to celebrate the 94th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1930- 2024) and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations (1999-2024) held in Hanoi on September 23. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
What are the prospects of developing the relations between the two countries in the coming time?
Saudi Arabia and Vietnam are becoming key partners, but their current exchanges and collaborations do not fully reflect their potential. Significant opportunities exist to strengthen this relationship.
Sectors like energy, sustainable energy, labour cooperation, green development, tourism, the Halal industry, and digital transformation offer promising avenues for cooperation. Encouraging business investments and sharing market information through conferences and trade events will be essential.
With a solid governmental commitment, I am confident that both countries will fully harness these opportunities, meeting the aspirations of their peoples.
As two countries with different cultures, how could Vietnam and Saudi Arabia promote further cultural exchange?
Despite some cultural differences, the two nations share many cultural, heritage, and artistic values that would bring the two peoples closer, for example, the traditional weaving of “Al Sadu” and “Thổ cẩm” fabrics in Saudi Arabia and Vietnam as we, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Hanoi, exhibited in our celebration of the 94th Saudi National Day and 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries last September.
Both nations possess rich cultures and take great pride in their histories, along with a shared enthusiasm for life, music, art, and sports. I believe that actively organizing cultural festivals, workshops, and people-to-people exchange events - showcasing traditional music, dance, arts, and folk customs in each other's countries - would enable people to experience and appreciate each other's cultural heritage firsthand.
By engaging in such initiatives, I am confident that the Kingdom and Vietnam will strengthen their mutual understanding and friendship.
Thank you, Ambassador!
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| The corner displaying the traditional weaving of “Al Sadu” of Saudi Arabia and “Thổ cẩm” fabrics of Vietnam at the celebration of the 94th Saudi National Day and 25th anniversary of Vietnam-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations. (Source: Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Vietnam) |
