Strengthening Vietnam-Ireland relations on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties: Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang
WVR - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang hosted a reception for Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin to discuss measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation and preparations for the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang welcomes Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On the afternoon of April 21, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang met with Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin to discuss measures to enhance bilateral cooperation; implement the outcomes of the visit to Ireland by General Secretary and President To Lam (October 2024), and commemorate the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Ireland diplomatic relations (1996-2026). Also in attendance was Mr. Patrick McKillen, Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Ireland.
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed thanks to Ireland for successfully coordinating the Vietnam-Ireland Political Consultation session in Dublin in March 2026 and officially opening the Embassy in Dublin. This is seen as a significant milestone demonstrating the commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations, following the commitments made by General Secretary and President To Lam during his visit to Ireland.
The Deputy Minister proposed that both sides continue to coordinate to promote key cooperation directions such as: Enhancing political trust; boosting exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level; organizing youth, student, cultural, and artistic exchange activities on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations; encouraging Ireland to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), thereby creating new momentum for economic cooperation; maintaining and expanding scholarship programs, including the Ireland Fellows Programme for Vietnamese students and researchers; encouraging Irish tourism businesses to participate in major tourism events in Vietnam; and strengthening coordination between the two countries during Ireland's term as EC President in the latter half of 2026.
Ambassador Deirdre Ní Fhallúin thanked the Deputy Foreign Minister for her time and welcomed Vietnam's opening of an Embassy in Dublin, seeing it as clear evidence of the commitment to promoting bilateral relations. The Ambassador noted that during the 2023-2025 period, the number of Vietnamese students in Ireland and Irish tourists to Vietnam both increased positively.
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| Vietnam and Ireland continue to coordinate to promote key cooperation directions towards the 30th anniversary of diplomatic establishment. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Ambassador expressed a desire to organize various cultural exchange activities such as music performances and events to promote the image of Ireland and its people in Vietnam; sharing priorities during the upcoming EC Presidency term.
Both sides agreed to continue enhancing delegation exchanges, especially high-level ones; coordinating to organize activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations such as exchanging congratulatory messages, organizing cultural events, film festivals, art exhibitions, and music performances; and promoting people-to-people exchanges.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang also discussed with Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Ireland Patrick McKillen measures to promote cooperation in the fields of science and technology, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as supporting businesses from both countries to strengthen connections and explore each other's markets. Mr. Patrick McKillen expressed confidence in the prospects of Vietnam-Ireland cooperation and committed to actively contributing to promoting cooperative initiatives, helping to elevate the friendly relations between the two countries to new heights.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang discusses with Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Ireland Patrick McKillen. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
