Expanding similarities and partnerships between Kazakhstan and Vietnam: Ambassador Kanat Tumysh
WVR - Kazakhstan Ambassador to Vietnam Kanat Tumysh emphasised Kazakhstan's desire to enhance cooperation with Vietnam across various fields following the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership in May 2025.
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| Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Vietnam Kanat Tumysh speaks with reporters at the press briefing. (Photo: Courtesy by Embassy of Kazakhstan in Vietnam) |
On March 4, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence (1991-2026), Kazakhstan Ambassador to Vietnam Kanat Tumysh briefed the Vietnamese press on the upcoming significant political event in Kazakhstan, as well as some positive developments in bilateral relations following the state visit of General Secretary To Lam to Kazakhstan in May 2025.
Ambassador Tumysh stated that March 15 will be a significant milestone for the people of Kazakhstan. On the day when the Vietnamese people conduct elections for the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels, Kazakhstan will hold a nationwide referendum to vote on the draft of the new Constitution. On February 11, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree regarding this event.
Ambassador Tumysh emphasized that this event marks a solid step towards modernizing the political structure and strengthening the national foundation; it reinforces the principle of people-centered governance, reflecting the core values and principles of Kazakh society in this new phase of development, while also enhancing the effectiveness of political institutions. The constitutional reform responds to the entire society's aspirations for renewing the political system and strengthening the principles of fairness, transparency, and government accountability.
Regarding foreign policy, the new draft Constitution asserts: “Kazakhstan respects the principles and norms of international law, implements a peaceful foreign policy, cooperates with nations, does not interfere in internal affairs, and resolves international disputes by peaceful means.”
Ambassador Tumysh reiterated that the 2026 constitutional reform in Kazakhstan is a large-scale review of the Basic Law, aimed at reshaping the institutional distribution of power and constitutionalizing new political mechanisms.
Kazakhstan enacted its Constitution in 1993, followed by a Constitution adopted after a referendum on August 30, 1995. If 80% of voters support the referendum on March 15, the new Constitution will take effect from July 1, 2026.
Ambassador Tumysh spent considerable time discussing the positive developments in bilateral relations, in the context of Kazakhstan being the first Central Asian country to upgrade to a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam since May 2025.
The Ambassador stated that Kazakhstan seeks to enhance economic, trade, scientific, and educational cooperation with Vietnam, such as developing the Vietnam – China – Kazakhstan – Europe transport route, collaborating at the Khorgos Dry Port; promoting joint projects in fintech, 5G, AI, and education; cooperating on financial centers, increasing flights, student exchanges, and signing memorandums of understanding between universities; opening a Vietnamese language department at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Eurasian National University.
The Ambassador also mentioned that the two countries will inaugurate the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ho Chi Minh City in the second half of 2026; organize Kazakhstan Cultural Days in Vietnam in May; inaugurate Ho Chi Minh Road in Almaty; and hold the 12th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation between the two countries in July.
