Sri Lankan President’s Vietnam visit paves way for stronger ties: Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam
WVR - Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam underscored the importance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s upcoming state visit to Vietnam in an interview with The World & Vietnam Report.
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| Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake receives Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam on October 9, 2024. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka) |
The visit, taking place from May 4 to 6 at the invitation of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, will coincide with the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak in Ho Chi Minh City and the 55th anniversary of Vietnam–Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.
According to Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam, this will be President Dissanayake’s first visit to Vietnam since assuming office in September 2024. The visit comes at a time of reflection and renewal, as both nations look back on five and a half decades of cooperation and set out strategic directions for the future.
The President is expected to hold high-level talks with Vietnamese leaders, witness the signing of key cooperation agreements, and attend the UN Vesak celebration—an event that further highlights the spiritual and cultural connections between the two predominantly Buddhist nations.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have seen increasingly dynamic cooperation in recent years. The two sides maintain regular contact through established mechanisms such as the Joint Commission at the foreign ministerial level, political consultations, and a subcommittee on trade.
Trade between the two countries has remained stable at around 300 million USD annually, with nearly 30 Sri Lankan investment projects currently operating in Vietnam. Ambassador Trinh Tam expressed hope that bilateral trade will soon reach 500 million USD, building on the momentum of past agreements and tapping into promising sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, food processing, digital economy, logistics, and renewable energy.
The Ambassador also underscored Vietnam’s commitment to fostering deeper investment ties, encouraging Sri Lankan enterprises to expand their footprint in areas like high-tech agriculture, pharmaceuticals, seaport infrastructure, and IT, while welcoming Vietnamese businesses to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka. The expansion of aviation links between Colombo and Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City is also under discussion, with the goal of enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Beyond economic cooperation, the relationship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka has been anchored by shared historical sentiments and cultural understanding. President Ho Chi Minh, a symbol of Vietnam’s revolutionary spirit, made several stopovers in Sri Lanka during his travels, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of Sri Lankans. The statue of President Ho Chi Minh, unveiled in Colombo in 2013, stands as a powerful reminder of the enduring bond between the two nations. His The Prison Diary has even been translated into Sinhala, reflecting the deep respect held by the Sri Lankan people.
Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam believes this emotional connection offers a solid foundation for future cooperation. She called for more frequent commemorative activities honoring President Ho Chi Minh and his ideals, particularly among Sri Lankan youth. Educational and cultural exchanges, scholarship programs, and joint historical research can help sustain and enrich this connection.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka has launched a wide array of activities in celebration of the 55th anniversary of bilateral ties. These include a knowledge contest and a logo design competition involving local students, the release of a joint stamp set later this year, and cultural events such as a Vietnamese film week and a food festival. Major political and cultural commemorations are also planned around Vietnam’s National Day in September.
Recent high-level interactions, including the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and President Dissanayake in Dubai earlier this year, and the March visit by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai to Sri Lanka further affirm the growing momentum of bilateral engagement.
President Dissanayake’s upcoming visit serves as both a reaffirmation of longstanding ties and a springboard for a new era of cooperation, according to Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam. With shared values, mutual respect, and a joint vision for sustainable and inclusive development, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are well-positioned to elevate their bilateral relationship to new heights.
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