After nearly 80 years of Independence and almost 40 years of Renewal, Vietnam stands at a new historical starting point, a new era, the era of Vietnam’s ascent.
Under the leadership of the Communist Party, Vietnam has been thriving to become a key player in Southeast Asia with constantly-developing social culture, improved material and spiritual life, stable politics and society. Recent years have seen growing reputation, prestige and presence of Vietnam in the international arena.
Diplomatic relations have been constantly expanded and deepened. To date, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 193 countries in the world, including strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with 30 countries, economic relations with more than 230 countries and territories, has signed 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including many new-generation FTAs.
Despite unpredictable, unprecedented changes in the world, the Government of Vietnam has closely followed the situation inside and outside Vietnam and promptly implemented resolute, flexible measures to achieve the set targets. These are a solid foundation for achieving future breakthroughs and accomplishments.
“Vietnam is Asia’s shining economic star”
Vietnam’s economy is projected to expand by close to 6% in 2024, up from 5% in the previous year, driven by a recovering export sector, robust foreign direct investment, and policy support, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Overall economic growth is supported by vigorous manufacturing activity as well as a recovery in the trade sector. Both the manufacturing and service sectors have grown strongly in the past two quarters. Over the long term, favourable macroeconomic and demographic trends support Vietnam ‘s strong economic growth. This has helped Vietnam become the rising economic star of Asia.
Vietnam has 3,260km of coastline alongside from north to south and a vast sea area including thousands of large and small islands. Vietnam is restructuring its marine economy with top priorities in developing marine and island tourism, renewable energy, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry, maritime, exploitation of oil and gas and other minerals, fish farming and shipbuilding...to adapt to climate change and promote economic growth.
“Vietnam-Qatar relations have huge potential”
Vietnam and Qatar are dynamic, rapidly advancing countries that hold increasingly significant positions in their respective regions and on the international stage. The two countries share a common aim to promote peace, stability, co-operation and prosperity throughout the world.
Over the years, Vietnam and Qatar have cultivated a multifaceted relationship, marked by significant achievements in politics, diplomacy, trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Qatar is now one of Vietnam’s most important trade partners in the Middle East, and the two nations have made great joint efforts in global discussions.
In political and diplomatic ties, the two countries have witnessed positive developments, as demonstrated by more frequent exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly the high-ranking visits, underscoring the importance both countries attach to their bilateral ties.
In the economic aspect, bilateral trade between the two countries has experienced robust growth over the years, reaching US$740mn in 2023. Exchanges between the business sectors of both countries are being further promoted, as evidenced by the two-way trade turnover of US$562mn in the first eight months of this year.
Vietnamese Prime Minister’s official visit to Qatar
In that context, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is scheduled to pay an official visit to Qatar from Oct 30-Nov 1.
The visit is of special significance, being the first visit by a Vietnamese prime minister to Qatar in 15 years (2009) and 12 years after the high-level visit of His Highness the Amir of Qatar to Vietnam (2012). This visit shows that Vietnam highly appreciates Qatar’s potential and role in the Middle East and in the Arab world, attaches importance to the Vietnam-Qatar friendship and co-operation, and wishes to promote multifaceted co-operation with Qatar to become more in-depth, substantive and effective.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Qatar is expected to help strengthen comprehensive and extensive cooperation between Vietnam and Qatar in various fields, including politics, economics, trade, investment, energy, labour, aviation, agriculture, industry, culture, tourism and sports... The visit will contribute to consolidating political trust between the two countries; creating momentum, opening a new phase of co-operation in Vietnam-Qatar relations.
Co-operation with Qatar can help Vietnam penetrate the Gulf region and other markets. Similarly, with Vietnam’s role and geographical location in the Asean region, Qatar can access other neighbouring markets through Vietnam.