Nguyen Nam Duong, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Cairo, affirmed that Egypt is a vital partner for his country in the Middle East and Africa, highlighting the deep-rooted historical ties between the two countries spanning more than six decades.
The ambassador made the remarks during a reception hosted by the Embassy of Vietnam in Cairo to mark the 81st anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The ambassador said Egypt was among the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, stressing that elevating bilateral relations to the level of a “Comprehensive Partnership,” culminating in the historic presidential visit to Cairo last year, has opened a new chapter in the history of cooperation between the two countries.
He explained that the Egyptian-Vietnamese partnership is expanding rapidly across a range of fields, including diplomacy, trade, agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial localization. He noted that bilateral trade has reached unprecedented levels, strengthening the foundations for an economic future based on cooperation among countries of the Global South.
Vietnam Targets Economic Growth of Nearly 10%
Regarding economic developments in Vietnam, the ambassador said that over the past 81 years, his country had succeeded in overcoming major challenges, preserving its sovereignty, building a peaceful society, and becoming increasingly integrated into the global economy.
He added that the Vietnamese economy continues its upward trajectory, driven by innovation, industrial transformation, and global partnerships, as well as the expansion of digital technologies, semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, and the transition toward a green economy.
Vietnam is targeting a high economic growth rate of nearly 10% this year, he said, describing the target as a reflection of the efforts of the Vietnamese people and the government’s commitment to sustainable development and prosperity.
The ambassador emphasized that Vietnam’s achievements on the international stage have been supported by its friends around the world, particularly Egypt, which holds a historic and distinguished position in Vietnam’s relations.
He stressed that Vietnam will continue to pursue an independent and self-reliant foreign policy based on peace, while adhering to the principles of multilateralism, respect for international law, and regional cooperation.
The ambassador also expressed his appreciation to the Egyptian government and people for their warm hospitality and continued support for the Vietnamese Embassy and community in Cairo, expressing his hope that the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries will continue to prosper in the coming years.
Broad Diplomatic Attendance
The reception was attended by Ambassador Mohamed Abu Bakr, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum; and Ambassador Samar Al-Ahdal, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation.
A large number of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions also attended, including the ambassadors of Singapore, Cuba, Greece, Armenia, Romania, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Brazil, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nepal, Algeria, India, Mongolia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Sweden, Peru, Finland, Argentina, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Norway, Estonia, and Slovenia.
The event was also attended by the Deputy Ambassador of South Korea, as well as the Chargés d’Affaires of the embassies of North Korea, Palestine, Mexico, and Bolivia.
