65 Years of Department of Middle East-Africa: A proud journey towards the future

On May 7, 1957, under Decision No. 239-TTg, the predecessor of today's Department of Middle East-Africa was officially established as a part of one of the first three regional departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – the Department of Asia-Africa. (Photo: Department of Middle East-Africa)

Few could have imagined back then that 65 years later, that small “family” would grow alongside Vietnam's relations with more than 70 countries, from the Gulf to the African continent as it is today.

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The first bonds of friendship

On June 7, 1957, the Department of Asia-Africa was established, renamed from the Department of Asia. By October 9, 1961, amid a strong wave of national liberation in the region, the Department of West Asia-Africa was officially formed – a milestone chosen as the Department's Traditional Day.

In that very first year, Foreign Minister Ung Van Khiem embarked on a tour to six African countries to lay the first bricks for the country's diplomatic foundation.

The Vietnam-Middle East, Africa friendship was directly fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and revolutionary leaders from both regions: His firm handshake with the Presidents of Guinea and Mali; the warm reception by comrade Truong Chinh for Chairman Yasser Arafat in April 1970; the Sudanese delegation led by Dr. Mamun Yahya delivering a letter from the Chairman of the Sudanese Revolutionary Command Council to President Ton Duc Thang in June 1971.

Amidst the flames of war, hundreds of Vietnamese experts still set out to bring literacy and healthcare to friends in Guinea, Mali, Congo... These were the first bonds of friendship, nurtured with both affection and concrete actions.

The Department of West Asia-Africa during a break in 1983. (Source: Department of Middle East-Africa)

Rebuilding the nation, paving the way to the world

With peace restored, diplomats carried a new mission: Breaking the siege and isolation. Early in 1976, Government Envoy Nguyen Co Thach visited Iraq, UAE, Oman to seek support. In 1977, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh's visit to Iraq paved the way for cooperation agreements and programs for oil aid and preferential loans.

And in October 1980, one of the most memorable diplomatic tours in Vietnam’s history took place: General Vo Nguyen Giap visited 10 African countries (some sources say 12), covering a distance of 72,000 km and spending more than 100 hours in flight, to share with international friends the spirit and aspirations of a reunified Vietnam.

Those distant friends, despite facing countless challenges, enthusiastically supported the Vietnamese people with generous financial resources. Subsequently, Vietnam also sent thousands of experts and engineers, ready to overcome geographical distances, contributing to the construction of projects in Angola, Mozambique, Algeria.

The admiration and affection that the people of the Middle East and Africa have for President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap – two icons of the global national liberation movement – remain a spiritual foundation for friendship today.

General Secretary Nong Duc Manh's state visit to the Republic of Mozambique from April 4-6, 2008. (Photo: VNA)

From tentative steps to a diplomatic network with 70 countries

In 1984, the department was named Department of West Asia-Africa; by 2017, it was restructured into Department of Middle East-Africa under Decree 26/2017/ND-CP.

From here, economic diplomacy began to emerge as a breakthrough alongside political diplomacy. The network of relations gradually filled with 70 countries in the region; trade made a remarkable leap; the first comprehensive economic partnership and free trade agreements with the region were signed with the UAE and Israel.

Pioneers like Viettel (with Movitel, Lumitel, Halotel) and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group brought intellect, courage, and the national flag to the African continent.

In 2004, the “Partnership for Cooperation and Development” with South Africa was established – a stepping stone for a series of subsequent relationship upgrades.

On the morning of August 4, 2025, President Luong Cuong visited and delivered a policy speech at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo, titled: “Opening a New Chapter in Friendship and Cooperation between Vietnam and Arab Countries for Peace, Cooperation, and Development”. (Photo: VOV)

New position and strength

In March 2025, the Department of Middle East-Africa under the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations and the Department of Middle East-Africa under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs merged according to the Party's policy of streamlining the apparatus, opening a new organizational chapter, leveraging the combined strength of modern diplomacy.

During this period, Vietnam's diplomatic network was completed with the 194th friend - Malawi, finalizing the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Middle East-Africa region. For the first time, Vietnam simultaneously established Strategic Partnerships with South Africa, Kuwait, Algeria, and Comprehensive Partnerships with Egypt, UAE.

Three of the country's five key leaders visited the region in 2025 – an unprecedented frequency of high-level exchanges.

G42 - a global technology corporation headquartered in the UAE and the FPT - Viet Thai investor consortium signed a long-term cooperation framework agreement to develop large-scale Hyperscale Data Center infrastructure in Vietnam with a total investment of over 1 billion USD. (Photo: Department of Middle East-Africa)

Vietnam's humanitarianism and international responsibility were also spread through concrete actions: Continuing deep participation in UN peacekeeping activities in African missions, conducting rescue operations in Turkey, and participating responsibly in the Peace Council on Gaza.

Trade turnover in 2025 reached approximately 36 billion USD – nearly doubling from the 21.5 billion USD mark in 2021 – with Senegal increasing by 249%, Algeria by 217%, and Ivory Coast by 122%.

Negotiations for the Vietnam-GCC FTA are about to commence, with 42 new cooperation documents signed through high-level visits.

The Vietnam Halal Project is being implemented, opening a new industry for the country – the Halal industry, Gulf investment funds are seeking opportunities in Vietnam, the Vietnam-Oman Joint Investment Fund valued at 200 million USD was established, and the skies are closer with new direct flights from Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways being established.

Water cannon salute at Noi Bai International Airport welcoming the inaugural Hanoi-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) flight by Ethiopian Airlines, on July 11, 2025. (Photo: Department of Middle East-Africa)

The Middle East-Africa family

These achievements were nurtured from a place called: The Middle East-Africa Family.

65 years, countless heads have turned gray, countless youths have been dedicated here. It is the “retiree team” – the predecessors who steadfastly laid the foundation in the most challenging years. It is the “five continents team” – colleagues stationed at representative missions, from remote lands in Africa to the conflict epicenter in the Middle East.

And it is the “Capital team”, at the building at 2 Le Quang Dao – a young, enthusiastic, responsible collective standing shoulder to shoulder to write new chapters.

On the anniversary, the Department of Middle East-Africa is honoured and proud to be awarded the First-Class Labour Medal by the President for outstanding achievements in strategic advisory work from 2023-2026, promoting the development of cooperation relations in the Middle East-Africa region to new heights; along with congratulations and encouragement from Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and generations of Ministry leaders. This is a great spiritual motivation for the unit to confidently move forward.

On the afternoon of October 22, 2024, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Conference on Promoting Internal Resources, Strengthening International Cooperation to Boost the Development of Vietnam's Halal Industry. This is the largest-scale event on Halal in Vietnam to date, attracting the participation of numerous delegates and international partners, contributing to elevating the position of Vietnam's Halal industry, enhancing international connectivity, and expanding opportunities for deeper participation in the global Halal market. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Proudly moving forward

65 years, for an individual, is nearly a lifetime of work; for an organization, it is a long enough journey to go from 13-14 officials in a small room on Nguyen Thai Hoc to a frontline unit in foreign affairs with over 70 countries in the region. But the 65-year journey concludes to open new chapters.

Carrying the torch of passion passed down through generations, the collective of officials, employees, and workers

The Department of Middle East-Africa today and in the future pledges to continue holding hands tightly, serving as a solid bridge to elevate Vietnam's relations with Middle Eastern and African friends to new heights – trust, development, and prosperity.

Group photo of the Department of Middle East-Africa on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 – August 28, 2025). (Photo: Department of Middle East-Africa)

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