Ambassador Deirdre Ní Fhallúin highlights strong, sustained momentum in Vietnam–Ireland relations
WVR - According to Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, the histories of Vietnam and Ireland share many similarities, particularly in the efforts of both nations to rise from the ashes of war.
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| Ambassador of Ireland to Vietnam Deirdre Ni Fhalluin. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Ireland diplomatic relations (April 5, 1996 - April 5, 2026), Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin gave an interview to The World & Vietnam Report about the highlights in the bilateral relations over the past years and expectations for the future.
Madam Ambassador, 2026 marks the milestone of three decades since Vietnam and Ireland officially established diplomatic relations. Looking back on this journey, what do you consider the most significant milestones that have contributed to the strong relationship between the two countries today?
Reflecting on the past 30 years, I believe the first significant milestone after establishing relations in 1996 was the opening of the Irish Embassy in Hanoi in 2005.
Initially, the Embassy's activities focused primarily on development cooperation, particularly supporting ethnic minorities, rural development, and education. This laid a solid foundation for our initial work.
The next major milestone I would like to mention is the state visit of President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins to Vietnam in 2016. This was an incredibly meaningful moment, celebrating friendship and recognizing the profound historical similarities between the two nations.
As you know, Ireland is not a colonial power; we also experienced a struggle for independence. Therefore, when looking at Vietnam's history, we see many commonalities, especially the efforts of both nations to rise from the ashes of war.
Subsequently, in October 2024, General Secretary and President To Lam made a state visit to Ireland. As Ambassador, I was deeply honoured to accompany this visit. It was a brilliant highlight in bilateral relations, with numerous agreements on higher education, food system transformation...
During that visit, Vietnam also announced the opening of its Embassy in Ireland, which officially took place just a few days ago. We are witnessing strong and continuous development in both diplomatic and political aspects.
Following the 14th National Party Congress, Vietnam is entering a new era of development. How do you assess Vietnam's growing position and influence on the international stage?
I had the honour of closely following the developments around the 14th Party Congress. It is impressive to witness the pace of change, reform, and development in Vietnam. This is not only crucial for Vietnam's economic strength but also for how Vietnam positions itself globally.
We can see Vietnam taking on more substantive roles, representing the region at global forums. In a world full of upheaval and instability, Vietnam is playing an extremely important role.
Both Ireland and Vietnam strongly support a rules-based international order, multilateralism, and the United Nations system. We were both non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 2021 and cooperated very closely there.
Vietnam will soon chair the review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Disarmament is a top priority in Ireland's foreign policy, so we will strongly support Vietnam during this term.
Additionally, I am impressed with Vietnam's increasing involvement in peacekeeping activities – a field in which Ireland has been steadfastly participating since 1958.
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| Inauguration ceremony of the Vietnamese Embassy in Ireland. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been in effect for some time. How do you assess the impact of this Agreement on the bilateral trade volume between the two countries in recent years?
I believe the current bilateral trade growth is entirely driven by the EVFTA foundation.
Although the initial phase was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have since witnessed a strong breakthrough. Vietnam-EU trade has increased by 30% since the Agreement came into effect.
Specifically with Ireland, the total trade volume in goods and services now reaches about 4 billion Euros annually. Vietnam is enjoying a trade surplus in goods, while Ireland excels in service exports.
Some notable sectors include agriculture and food. We are delighted that Irish beef has officially been granted market access to Vietnam after months of negotiations. We eagerly anticipate the launch of Irish beef here this year.
Moreover, cooperation in the aviation sector holds great potential. Ireland is the world's aircraft leasing hub, with about 60% of leased aircraft globally managed through Dublin. Therefore, we see great opportunities in developing airport infrastructure and the aviation industry in Vietnam.
In manufacturing, our Kingspan Group has also invested 25 million Euros in Vung Tau to produce insulation materials, including the roofing package for Long Thanh International Airport.
Ireland is known as the "Silicon Valley of Europe". What opportunities do you see for Irish businesses to invest more robustly in Vietnam, particularly in green and digital transformation sectors?
Ireland and Vietnam share an interesting similarity in development trajectories: We both transitioned from agriculture to becoming high-tech economies. Both nations are very open to foreign direct investment (FDI). Giant multinational corporations like Apple and Intel are present in both Ireland and Vietnam.
A notable project is the Hanoi Biotechnology Park (Silverlake) with an investment of 250 million USD from the Irish investor Pacific Land Holdings. This strategic project includes research, education, healthcare, and services.
Additionally, we are promoting collaboration between the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in Ireland and Hanoi University of Pharmacy. I believe this knowledge sharing will pave the way for deeper economic and trade connections in the future.
Education has always been a highlight in the cooperation between the two countries. How do you assess the contributions of the Vietnamese alumni community in Ireland to the development of the S-shaped country?
Higher education is indeed a focal point in our bilateral relationship.
Since 2007, Ireland has awarded over 360 full scholarships to Vietnamese students. Upon returning, the alumni community has made significant contributions in fields such as business, academia, and healthcare.
I frequently meet them at various events; even at the Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, there are officials who have studied in Ireland.
Besides scholarships, we also see a growing trend of Vietnamese families choosing Ireland for their children's self-funded university education. Ireland is a safe country, English-speaking, part of the EU, and we always receive very positive feedback from Vietnamese students about their experiences here.
Finally, do you have any message you would like to convey to the Vietnamese people, especially the younger generation, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries?
To me, in a world full of changes, we need to cherish and continue to nurture the beautiful friendship between Vietnam and Ireland.
Notably, the number of Irish visitors to Vietnam has tripled in just two years: From 25,000 visitors in 2023 to 75,000 in 2025. Many of them are young Irish people curious about Vietnam's history, culture, landscapes, and cuisine.
I hope young Vietnamese will also consider visiting Ireland for tourism, study, or business. People-to-people exchange is the key to taking our relationship further. Ireland is always ready to welcome you with the warmest hospitality.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
