Vietnam-Hungary Relations: Today's success, Tomorrow's foundation
WVR - As the Hungarian saying goes, "Like a fine wine, friendship gets better with age." Seventy-five years may be just a brief moment in history, but it is more than enough to prove the strength of a lasting friendship.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjártó Péter on March 19, 2025. (Photo: VGP) |
Over the decades, the Vietnam-Hungary friendship has only deepened, with more than seventy years of close ties forming a strong foundation for future cooperation. During Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjártó Péter’s visit to Vietnam, a sense of pride in the shared history, optimism about the present, and enthusiasm for the future were clearly evident.
The visit, which took place from March 18-19, held significant importance. It not only provided an opportunity to reflect on 75 years of bilateral relations but also underscored Hungary’s commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam. The visit opened new avenues for cooperation, further solidifying the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.
As part of his visit, Minister Szijjártó Péter met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, and had a working session with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.
A firm foundation for greater strategic ambitions
During high-level talks, both sides reaffirmed the enduring Vietnam-Hungary friendship, built on 75 years of steadfast solidarity. Vietnam deeply appreciates Hungary’s invaluable support during challenging times and remains committed to further strengthening this first Comprehensive Partnership in Central and Eastern Europe. Minister Szijjártó Péter, in turn, underscored Hungary’s strong commitment to elevating ties with Vietnam, its foremost partner in Southeast Asia.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán once highlighted this sentiment when the two nations upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2018: "Vietnam's success is truly commendable. It stands as a testament to the fact that a nation can only thrive by building upon its unique cultural and political foundations, leveraging its own strengths to forge a path toward sustainable development."
| "Vietnam highly values its relationship with Hungary, its first Comprehensive Partner in Central and Eastern Europe," said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. |
For the Hungarian diplomat, Vietnam’s unwavering drive for progress and its bold aspirations resonate deeply. During high-level engagements with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and discussions with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Minister Szijjártó Péter praised Vietnam’s impressive socio-economic achievements and deepening global integration. He highlighted the country’s rising stature as a key player in both regional and international affairs.
The 75-year foundation of friendship reinforces the shared commitment to further strengthen cooperation in various fields, including politics and diplomacy, trade, investment, development, culture, education, and healthcare. Both sides emphasized the importance of high-level exchanges, particularly in 2025, and pledged to maintain close coordination in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and ASEAN-EU mechanisms.
Vietnam and Hungary also aligned on key foreign policy principles. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister Szijjártó Péter reaffirmed their commitment to peace, cooperation, and development as global priorities. They emphasized that disputes must be resolved through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, to safeguard the best interests of all nations.
Speaking to the press after a series of high-level meetings, Minister Szijjártó Péter stated, "It is no exaggeration to call Hungary-Vietnam relations a true success story." He also reiterated his dedication to advancing this partnership through deeper, more substantive, and results-driven cooperation.
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| Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son welcomes Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjártó Péter on March 19, 2025. (Photo: Hai Minh) |
"Pressing Orders"
Vietnam regards Hungary as one of its most important economic partners in Central and Eastern Europe, while Hungary, through its "Look East" policy, considers Vietnam a priority partner in Southeast Asia. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has emerged as a strategic pillar, laying the foundation for new breakthroughs in the bilateral partnership. Hence, Minister Szijjártó Péter’s visit provided an opportunity for both sides to engage in substantive discussions, piecing together new dimensions of economic collaboration.
| More from WVR |
 Vietnam, Hungary Foreign Ministers hold talks to promote stronger multifaceted cooperation |
A key highlight of the visit was the agreement to resume the 10th session of the Vietnam-Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation in Hanoi in 2025 after a hiatus since 2019. Vietnam also put forward specific "orders" to Hungary, particularly in "pressing" areas such as nuclear energy.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed Vietnam’s interest in receiving Hungarian support for training high-quality personnel in nuclear power plant operations, a field where Hungary has significant expertise. Responding to this, Minister Szijjártó Péter affirmed Hungary’s willingness to assist, drawing on its 50 years of experience operating nuclear power plants with Russian technology. He announced that Hungary would train 1000 Vietnamese specialists in nuclear energy, marking a strategic area of cooperation between the two nations.
| "Vietnam hopes that the Hungarian Government will continue to facilitate a stable livelihood and seamless integration for the Vietnamese community in Hungary, enabling them to contribute actively to Hungary’s socio-economic development and the flourishing bilateral ties," said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son . |
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also emphasized the importance of maximizing opportunities from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), facilitating the exchange of agricultural and aquatic products, and encouraging Hungarian businesses to invest in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, food processing, and water management.
Hungary was the first EU member state to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), demonstrating its strong commitment to investor rights and a transparent business environment. This move has encouraged Hungarian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam and vice versa.
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| Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjártó Péter at their talks in Hanoi on March 19, 2025. (Photo: WVR) |
Indeed, despite the geographical distance, economic ties have flourished. Speaking to The World and Vietnam Report, Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai noted that in 2024, the Vietnamese Embassy organized a delegation of 37 Hungarian enterprises to participate in Vietnam Sourcing Expo 2024. Many Hungarian businesses expressed their eagerness to leverage the benefits of the EVFTA and expand their presence in the Vietnamese market.
The one and only, the most, and the first…
For 75 years, the Vietnam-Hungary relationship has been marked by unique milestones—"the one and only, the most, and the first"—shaping a remarkable bond between the two nations.
Hungary remains the only country in Central and Eastern Europe to have erected a full-body statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the city of Zalaegerszeg, a tribute that has stood the test of time. It is also Vietnam’s first Comprehensive Partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hungary was among the very first nations to extend its support to Vietnam, donating over 200,000 vaccine doses and vital medical equipment while transferring an additional 400,000 doses. Moreover, Hungary consistently grants the highest number of scholarships to Vietnamese students in Central and Eastern Europe, with approximately 200 scholarships awarded annually through the Stipendium Hungaricum program.
“The 75-year success of Hungary-Vietnam relations has been built on a foundation of mutual respect and a steadfast commitment to shared prosperity,” Minister Szijjártó Péter affirmed in a press interview.
Another crucial bridge in this enduring friendship is the Vietnamese community in Hungary. Having successfully integrated into Hungarian society, they have made significant contributions to the country’s economic and social development while strengthening the ties between the two nations.
Those special milestones of being 'one and only,' 'the most,' and 'the first' continue to be nurtured and spread, shaping the distinct character of the Vietnam-Hungary friendship. As the great Hungarian composer Franz Liszt once wrote, "Music knows no boundaries, just like true friendship."
Minister Szijjártó Péter’s visit has added yet another success to the collective achievements of a journey spanning more than seven decades of steadfast solidarity between Vietnam and Hungary.
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