Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Algeria: 'Keeping the flame' of tradition, looking toward the future
WVR - On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s upcoming official visit to Algeria, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh shared with The World & Vietnam Report about the significance and key focuses of the visit.
Latest
 |
| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse are about to embark on an official visit to Algeria. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Could you share the significance and key focuses of this visit to Algeria by Vietnam’s high-level leaders?
The official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the high-level Vietnamese delegation to Algeria holds special political and diplomatic significance, reaffirming the determination of the leaders of both countries to inherit and promote the over 60-year tradition of friendship, elevating Vietnam-Algeria relations to a new height.
 |
| Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
This is also an opportunity for both sides to review and promote existing cooperation mechanisms while expanding substantive cooperation in the fields of economy, science and technology, and culture as both countries aim to diversify partners and strengthen international linkages.
The visit focuses on three main areas. Firstly, upgrading relations, promoting political dialogue, and creating a legal and high political commitment basis to expand cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally. Secondly, boosting trade exchanges, promoting bilateral investment, resolving some existing issues in bilateral trade, and leveraging advantages in agriculture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, energy, and digital transformation.
Thirdly, creating new momentum for people-to-people, cultural, and educational exchanges, continuing to promote the historical legacy of friendship between the two nations. Both sides will sign several cooperation documents, thereby creating a favorable framework for businesses from both countries to implement specific projects in the near future.
 |
| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Algerian Community Abroad, and African Affairs Lounes Magramane co-chaired the 4th Vietnam-Algeria Political Consultation on October 27, 2025. |
In a recent interview with Algerian media, you emphasized three key areas of cooperation between the two countries: agriculture and food security, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, along with digital transformation and energy. Could you elaborate on the potential of this cooperation landscape?
These are strategic areas that can create new spaces for bilateral cooperation in the upcoming development phase.
Regarding agriculture and food security, Algeria has a significant demand for food, processed foods, and preservation technology while possessing vast arable land, diverse soil resources, and climate. Vietnam has strengths in breeding, production, and processing technology. Both sides can collaborate in cultivation, post-harvest processing, sharing experiences in managing green agricultural value chains, aquaculture, and applying high technology to enhance productivity and quality of agricultural products.
In healthcare and pharmaceuticals, Vietnam has achieved many accomplishments in producing herbal-based medicines and medical products, addiction treatment, as well as significant advancements in practical healthcare such as surgery and organ transplantation. Algeria is developing its healthcare system and needs to enhance its capacity in pharmaceutical production, medical products, and training, exchanging experiences in organ transplantation. This is an opportunity for both sides to jointly research, co-produce medicines and medical equipment, and train human resources in this field.
For digital transformation and energy, Algeria is a major energy country in North Africa and globally. The Algerian government is striving to promote e-government and develop renewable energy. Vietnam has experience and strong enterprises in information technology, solar energy, and green energy. The two countries can collaborate to build pilot projects, share management experiences, and transfer technology.
Overall, these three areas complement each other. Agriculture needs modernization and digitalization of supply chains, healthcare requires production capacity, training, and logistics, while energy and digital transformation are the foundations for all modern services. Therefore, to strongly promote bilateral cooperation, it is necessary to implement these areas in a synchronized and comprehensive manner.
 |
| Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh and delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Vietnam booth at an event promoting Vietnamese goods in Algeria. (Source: Vietnam Embassy in Algeria) |
In the context of both countries expanding investment attraction policies, especially as Algeria has just enacted a new Investment law, what are the cooperation potentials and suggestions for Vietnamese businesses interested in the Algerian market?
The new Investment Law and related reforms in Algeria have created a more favorable legal environment for foreign investors. With a population of over 47 million, a strategic location as a gateway to Africa and the Mediterranean, Algeria has significant potential in fields such as agricultural processing, light industry, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and renewable energy.
Vietnamese businesses should adopt a methodical, long-term approach to the Algerian market. Initially, they need to thoroughly research the legal environment and business practices to take advantage of the Algerian government’s investment incentives.
Businesses should also focus on medium and small projects, leveraging the advantages of joint venture models with local partners. Starting with specific projects, gradually expanding scale, while thoroughly understanding technical standards and market demands. The Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office in Algeria are always ready to support businesses in connecting information, finding partners, and promoting trade.
 |
| Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh introduces local friends to a photo exhibition about President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam-Algeria relations during a Vietnam National Day celebration. (Source: VNA) |
The traditional friendship between Vietnam and Algeria is an invaluable spiritual heritage. Algeria is home to people who have never been to Vietnam but are knowledgeable about Dien Bien Phu, President Ho Chi Minh, and General Vo Nguyen Giap... What should the two countries do to further promote people-to-people diplomacy, nurture, and keep the flame of the friendship that has lasted over six decades?
Many generations of Algerian people and leaders have shown special trust and affection for Vietnam. This sentiment is an invaluable spiritual heritage, a solid foundation for the two countries to continue building relationships in the new era.
To “keep the flame” and further spread this friendship, we need to continue using culture to connect localities, people, and businesses, using culture to spread good values and positive images of Vietnam. In this regard, Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy and external information need to be integrated into the overall strategy of strengthening relations with countries and regions and selectively invested, with priority given to countries like Algeria.
Efforts for the community need to be strengthened with special support policies, considering the specific characteristics of the locality. At the same time, both countries need to continue to support the development of traditional Vietnamese martial arts, especially Vovinam, to become one of the important bridges connecting the youth of the two countries.
Additionally, cultural exchange activities, photo exhibitions, film screenings, scholarship programs, and student exchanges need to be expanded. It is also necessary to tell the story of Vietnam-Algeria friendship in a new, lively, and relatable language for the younger generation.
The Embassy will continue to accompany the agencies and organizations of both countries to materialize these activities, contributing to renewing and deepening the special friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
