Inauguration of the Portuguese Embassy in Hanoi: A new chapter in bilateral relations
WVR - On February 27, the inauguration ceremony of the Portuguese Embassy in Hanoi took place solemnly, attended and addressed by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.
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The ceremony was attended by State Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal Paulo Rangel, during his official visit to Vietnam from February 27 to March 1, 2026.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Joaquim Alberto de Sousa Moreira de Lemos expressed his honour to welcome Minister Paulo Rangel and Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang to the event.
The Ambassador emphasized that the inauguration is not only a diplomatic formality but also holds profound symbolic significance. As the first Portuguese Ambassador to Vietnam, he affirmed that the event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Portugal.
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| Portuguese Ambassador to Vietnam Joaquim Alberto de Sousa Moreira de Lemos speaking at the ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Representing the Government and people of Portugal, State Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel highlighted that the relationship between the two nations has been established for over 500 years, with significant Portuguese influence in the 16th and 17th centuries. According to him, the historical flow has brought the two countries closer together; establishing embassies in Hanoi and Lisbon is a natural progression, continuing that tradition.
He noted that last year marked the 50th anniversary of modern diplomatic relations between the two countries. The opening of the Vietnamese Embassy in Lisbon and now the Portuguese Embassy in Hanoi are concrete milestones, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening and deepening bilateral relations.
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| State Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal Paulo Rangel stated that Vietnam holds a special place in the history and consciousness of the Portuguese people. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Minister Paulo Rangel affirmed that Vietnam holds a special place in the history and consciousness of the Portuguese people. He mentioned the poet Luís de Camões, author of the national epic Os Lusíadas, who spent time in this region. The poet's death anniversary is chosen as Portugal's National Day, reflecting a tribute to cultural and national spiritual values.
According to Minister Paulo Rangel, the opening of the embassy in Hanoi, a city once considered an important destination in Portuguese historical records, is a great pride and a step towards a shared future built on a solid historical foundation. He also emphasized the unique heritage shared by the two countries, which is the Latin script of the Vietnamese language. He noted that the compilation of the first Vietnamese-Latin-Portuguese dictionary by Portuguese missionaries laid the foundation for the formation of the modern Vietnamese script, a profound cultural imprint and a symbol of long-standing cultural exchange between the two nations.
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| The ceremony was also attended by ambassadors and heads of foreign organizations in Vietnam. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Speaking at the inauguration of the Portuguese Embassy in Hanoi, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang highlighted the historical milestone in the relations between the two countries when on July 1, 1975, just two months after Vietnam's reunification, Portugal officially established diplomatic relations with Vietnam, becoming one of the first Western European countries to lay the foundation for relations with unified Vietnam.
The Deputy Foreign Minister recounted the deep historical ties in bilateral relations, originating over 500 years ago when Portuguese traders arrived in Hoi An, opening the first chapters of trade and cultural exchange between the two peoples. Notably, the presence of Portuguese missionaries in the 17th century left a significant mark on the formation of the Vietnamese script – a cultural heritage of profound significance to the spiritual and intellectual life of the Vietnamese people.
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| Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed her belief that the opening of the embassy in Hanoi will usher in a more dynamic phase of cooperation, with numerous high-level visits and exchanges, elevating Vietnam-Portugal relations to new heights. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Building on that historical foundation, bilateral relations continue to witness new advancements, notably with each country opening embassies in each other's capitals. The Vietnamese Embassy in Lisbon was inaugurated last November, and the Portuguese Embassy in Hanoi is now officially operational. These representative offices are expected to become important bridges, promoting cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational, and other potential areas.
Expressing confidence in the prospects for future cooperation, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang believes that the opening of the embassy in Hanoi will usher in a more dynamic phase of cooperation, with numerous high-level visits and exchanges, elevating Vietnam-Portugal relations to new heights. The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to closely coordinating and facilitating the effective operation of the Portuguese Embassy in Hanoi, fulfilling its role as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
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| Minister Paulo Rangel and Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang unveil the ribbon at the inauguration of the Portuguese Embassy in Hanoi. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
