As Vietnam and Kuwait celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, the two nations have elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with trade volumes hitting nearly $7 billion in 2025, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang said in an interview. The ambassador told Arab Times that Kuwait, which established ties with Vietnam on Jan. 10, 1976, has been a key partner in investment and development assistance. The milestone comes after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Kuwait in November 2025 that sealed the upgraded relationship.
The ambassador outlined significant milestones in the relationship, noting that Kuwait was the first country in the Gulf region to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Following the opening of a Vietnamese trade office in 1993 and an embassy in 2003, high-level visits including those by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah in 2007 and reciprocal trips in subsequent years strengthened cooperation, Thang said. The elevation to strategic partnership reflects deep political trust and commitment to peace and development, he added.
Bilateral trade reached nearly $7 billion in 2025, according to the ambassador, while Kuwaiti investment in the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex exceeds $3.5 billion as part of a $9 billion project that processes 200,000 barrels of Kuwaiti crude oil daily. Kuwait also provided 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam during the pandemic, demonstrating solidarity in times of need. “True friendship is revealed in times of hardship,” Thang stated, referencing a Vietnamese proverb to underscore the depth of bilateral bonds.
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has financed $182 million worth of projects in Vietnam across 15 initiatives since the late 1970s, with the Dau Tieng irrigation project as the first in 1979, Thang told Arab Times. These efforts have focused on infrastructure in remote areas, contributing to Vietnam’s development. Such assistance underscores the long-standing support from Kuwait, which also backed Vietnam during its historical struggles.
Both countries share historical empathy from periods of defending sovereignty, fostering mutual understanding and support in international forums, the ambassador explained. Vietnam supported Kuwait’s liberation in 1991, while Kuwait opposed the Vietnam War, according to diplomatic histories. This foundation has allowed the relationship to withstand global challenges including economic turbulence and regional conflicts.
Thang recommended expanding energy cooperation beyond oil to include renewable projects like solar, wind and green hydrogen. He also suggested increased Kuwaiti investments in Vietnamese infrastructure and a potential financial center in Southeast Asia. In agriculture, Vietnam could supply halal-certified products to Kuwait to enhance food security in the Gulf state.
Tourism presents another promising area, with Vietnam expecting 25 million international visitors in 2025 and developing halal-certified facilities to attract travelers from Kuwait and the Middle East, the ambassador noted. Popular destinations include Phu Quoc, Nha Trang for resorts, Ha Long Bay for natural experiences, and cultural sites like Hue and Hoi An. Direct flights and joint promotion efforts could further boost people-to-people exchanges.
Local cooperation has advanced with twinning between Ahmadi Governorate and Ho Chi Minh City as well as Farwaniya and Thanh Hoa Province, according to Thang. These partnerships complement national level engagements in culture, education and tourism. The golden anniversary celebrations highlight the progress achieved and the potential for future collaboration in multilateral arenas.
