Vietnam - Mexico: Reinforcing Friendship, Advancing Practical Cooperation

	Vietnamese Embassy Visits Zacatecas State of Mexico
	Vietnam - Mexico to Mark 50 Years with Cultural Events

The event brought together policymakers, experts, scholars, and businesses to review the half-century journey of building and developing bilateral friendship, while discussing and proposing solutions to enhance substantive and broad-based cooperation in the coming years.

President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences Phan Chi Hieu speaks at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Luan)

Fruitful results, potential and room for growth

In his opening remarks, Phan Chi Hieu, president of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted that Vietnam-Mexico relations have grown significantly since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1975. The relationship is grounded in sincere friendship, political trust, and mutual support in international forums such as the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The two sides maintain a vice-ministerial-level political consultation mechanism and cooperate in areas such as defense, peacekeeping, combating transnational crime, and the defense industry.

Notably, bilateral trade has consistently grown. Mexico is now one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners in Latin America. Both countries are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which provides a vital platform to promote free trade and sustainable development.

Cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges have also deepened, contributing to the strengthening of friendship and mutual understanding.

Despite the positive outcomes, speakers agreed that Vietnam-Mexico relations have yet to reach their full potential, especially in trade, investment, science and technology, education, and tourism.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai, bilateral trade has doubled over the past five years. In 2024, two-way trade reached approximately US$15 billion, up 27.5% from 2023, according to Mexican data. However, he noted that economic, trade, and investment ties still do not reflect the scale of the markets or the potential for cooperation. Sectors such as telecommunications, high-tech agriculture, and high value-added industries offer ample room for development.

The Ambassador affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico would continue to serve as a trusted bridge, supporting businesses in accessing and expanding the market—especially during this milestone year marking 50 years of diplomatic relations.

International conference "50 Years of Vietnam - Mexico Relations: Current Status and Prospects." (Photo: Thanh Luan)

Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe, director general for Asia-Pacific at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed Mexico’s desire to expand the presence of Mexican businesses in Vietnam. He highlighted key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, digitalization, technological innovation, and tourism. Mexico also hopes to learn from Vietnam’s experience in poverty reduction and promoting social equity. He emphasized that Vietnam is one of Mexico’s most important partners in Southeast Asia, and that deepening and energizing the bilateral strategic relationship is a key priority for Mexico.

Associate Professor Dr. Cu Chi Loi, former director of the Institute of American Studies, noted that the two countries share similar political visions, trade policies, and perspectives on global issues—especially regarding relations with major powers. He also pointed out barriers such as high tariffs, anti-dumping investigations, lack of market information, and cultural-linguistic differences that need to be addressed.

Experts and businesses offer proposals to enhance cooperation

At the conference, Mexican Ambassador to Vietnam Alejandro Negrin Munoz introduced President Claudia Sheinbaum’s "Mexico Plan", which outlines ambitious goals: making Mexico one of the world’s top 10 economies; becoming one of the five most-visited countries globally; developing 100 new industrial zones in the next six years; raising domestic content in finished products from 37% to 50%; and ranking among the top 10 countries in aerospace manufacturing.

Vietnamese agricultural products on display at the conference. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

According to the Ambassador, realizing the potential of bilateral relations requires a stronger legal framework and a more structured political dialogue. Currently, the two sides are negotiating at least eight bilateral agreements, which are expected to lay a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Chien Thang, director of the Institute of European Studies, said both countries have much in common and shared potential to foster new growth drivers based on technological breakthroughs and innovation. Vietnam is entering a new era of strong and prosperous development, while Mexico is implementing an ambitious national development plan in economic, technological, and educational fields. This creates a strong basis for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

From a business perspective, Nguyen Tuong Lan, director of ITA Travel Company, suggested practical measures such as opening direct air routes, simplifying visa procedures, boosting tourism promotion, and organizing bilateral cultural exchange events. He said these efforts would foster closer people-to-people ties and help elevate cooperation to a higher level.

Several businesses at the conference also proposed that the Vietnamese and Mexican embassies, along with the Institute of European Studies, step up their role in connecting stakeholders and sharing market information—especially in promoting trade, and supporting Vietnamese exports to Mexico.

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