Vietnam–Sri Lanka ties poised for expanded cooperation and development
WVR - General Secretary, President To Lam will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to Sri Lanka from May 7-8. This visit is anticipated by both nations to herald a new era of cooperation, significantly contributing to the economic development of each country.
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Solid foundations
The Vietnam-Sri Lanka friendship is rooted in shared values of Buddhism and solidarity in the struggle for national independence. During his quest for national salvation, President Ho Chi Minh stopped in Sri Lanka three times in 1911, 1928, and 1946.
The respect of the Sri Lankan people for President Ho Chi Minh is evidenced by the monument erected in his honor in Colombo in 2013, the only foreign leader's monument in the capital area of Sri Lanka.
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| Vietnamese language class students lay a wreath at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Colombo on the occasion of his 135th birth anniversary. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka) |
In 1964, bilateral relations began with Vietnam establishing a Consulate General in Colombo. On July 21, 1970, the two countries officially established ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations.
In May 1971, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka officially commenced operations (temporarily halting between 1982-2011) and resumed in April 2011. Sri Lanka also established its embassy in Hanoi in January 2003, completing the direct diplomatic communication channel between the two nations.
Alongside state diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy was formed with the establishment of the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Solidarity Association in 1966 and the Vietnam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association in 2014.
Diplomatic relations
Building on this foundation, the two countries have continuously developed their bilateral relations in depth and substance over the years.
In terms of delegation exchanges, Vietnam has sent many high-level leaders to Sri Lanka, including Prime Minister Pham Van Dong (March 1978), Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (February 2013), President Truong Tan Sang (2011), Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai (March 2025), and Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee Nguyen Trong Nghia (May 2026).
High-level Sri Lankan leaders have also frequently visited Vietnam, such as Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake (November 2006), President Mahinda Rajapaksa (October 2009), Speaker of the Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa (July 2013), Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (2017), Speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya (April 2018), and President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka on a state visit to Vietnam and attending the UN Vesak Day 2025 (May 4-6, 2025).
The state visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in May 2025 coincided with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. During the visit, both sides agreed to promote cooperation in a "more active, open, and breakthrough" manner and explore the possibility of upgrading bilateral relations to create a foundation for deeper and more substantive relations. Therefore, the state visit of General Secretary, State President To Lam to Sri Lanka is highly anticipated by both sides to open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
On multilateral forums
The two countries have always coordinated closely and supported each other on multilateral forums, notably the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Sri Lanka supported Vietnam's candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO's World Heritage Committee; Vietnam supported Sri Lanka's candidacy for the UN Economic and Social Council for the 2025-2027 term.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister attended the opening ceremony of the UN Convention on Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) in Hanoi (October 2025), demonstrating the two countries' collaboration in combating cybercrime.
Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in UN peacekeeping, maritime security, and combating transnational crime, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation and aviation, and resolving disputes peacefully based on international law, including UNCLOS 1982. Vietnam welcomes and supports Sri Lanka's increased cooperation with ASEAN.
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| Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka speaks at the opening ceremony of Vesak 2025. (Source: VESAK 2025 Organizing Committee) |
Economic cooperation flourishes
Economic and trade relations between the two countries have seen encouraging progress. In 2025, bilateral trade turnover reached approximately 215.5 million USD. As of January 2025, Sri Lanka has 33 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over 43 million USD.
On average, 1,000 Sri Lankans visit Vietnam each month. Conversely, Vietnam has eight Vietnamese restaurants in Sri Lanka, and the number of Vietnamese tourists to Sri Lanka is steadily increasing.
During President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka's visit to Vietnam in May 2025, the two sides signed five cooperation documents in diplomacy, trade, customs, agriculture, and machinery manufacturing, aiming to increase bilateral trade turnover to 1 billion USD and consider negotiating a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
Following the commitments made during the state visit in May 2025, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang led a Vietnamese business delegation to Sri Lanka to co-chair the 3rd Session of the Joint Trade Subcommittee and participate in a trade promotion conference with over 100 businesses to discuss measures to realize the above objectives.
Buddhism and people-to-people exchange
Buddhist cooperation is a highlight in bilateral relations. Sri Lanka has long been a reliable destination for Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns to study Buddhism.
President Dissanayaka's participation and speech at the opening ceremony of the UN Vesak Day (Vesak 2025) in Ho Chi Minh City, hosted by Vietnam, is a clear testament to the cooperation between the two countries in preserving and honoring Buddhist values.
Truc Lam Kandy Zen Monastery, the first Vietnamese temple built in Sri Lanka, has become a cultural bridge for Buddhist followers of both countries. The Temple of the Tooth, which houses the Buddha's tooth relic, features an exhibition space on Vietnamese Buddhism.
Besides the shared interest in Buddhism, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly vibrant and substantive. The Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka currently numbers around 200, playing an important role in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In 2025, approximately 4,000 Vietnamese visited Sri Lanka. For the first time in 2025, 10 Sri Lankan students received full scholarships to major Vietnamese universities. Both sides are actively promoting the opening of a direct flight route in 2026, promising to create a breakthrough in connecting the people of the two countries.
In 2026, marking 15 years since the reopening of the Vietnamese Embassy in Colombo, both sides are striving to implement meaningful activities, including building a Ho Chi Minh space at the Colombo Public Library.
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| The Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka awards 10 scholarships to Sri Lankan students for studying in Vietnam. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka) |
It can be said that Sri Lanka views Vietnam as a successful model of economic development and international integration to learn from, especially as it emerges from an economic and political crisis. Meanwhile, Vietnam regards Sri Lanka as an important partner and a close friend in South Asia, as well as a potential market for Vietnamese businesses in the era of expansion.
With a foundation of political trust, a timeless traditional friendship, and the political determination of the leaders of both nations, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are poised for significant development opportunities to effectively harness cooperation potential. In this context, the state visit to Sri Lanka by General Secretary, State President To Lam is anticipated by both nations to herald a new era of cooperation, significantly contributing to the economic development of each country.
