The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, in collaboration with the Vietnam – Iran Friendship Association and the Embassy of Iran in Vietnam, organized the aforementioned event.

The ceremony was attended by esteemed individuals such as Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Anh Tuan – Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga – President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Nguyen Van Pha – former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Judicial Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam – Iran Friendship Association, as well as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Vietnam Ali Akbar Nazari and his spouse. Also present were the dedicated staff of the Iranian Embassy in Vietnam, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, and Iranian and Vietnamese friends.

At the celebration, the delegates reviewed significant milestones in the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Iran.

According to Ha Kim Ngoc, the long-standing cultural interaction and exchanges over the past 50 years have established a solid foundation for the current development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and Iran. With numerous similarities and complementary advantages, both countries are well-positioned to foster friendship and cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples and contribute to peace and stability in their respective regions and globally.

The political and diplomatic relations between the two countries have made significant progress across various channels, including State diplomacy, Parliamentary diplomacy, and People-to-people diplomacy. Bilateral economics and trade have experienced continuous growth, yielding encouraging results. Moreover, cooperation between the two nations in fields such as culture, education, science, and technology has shown positive signs. Despite facing challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s government and people are willing to share their limited resources with other countries, including Iran.

These realistic activities serve as bricks that help build a solid foundation for the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries, he said.

There is still significant potential for the advancement of bilateral relations. Both governments, along with their respective authorities and agencies, must prioritize the effective and substantive implementation of our commitment to deepening cooperation between the two countries. In order to translate the political determination of our leaders into tangible results, it is crucial that we promptly arrange the 10th meeting of the Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation and the 7th Political Consultation.

The Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue, is scheduled to embark on an official visit to Iran in the coming days. This visit holds significant importance as it marks the initiation of a new era in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to Nguyen Van Pha, Chairman of the Vietnam – Iran Friendship Association, the historical connection between the Vietnamese and Iranian people dates back over a thousand years. Persian merchants were among the first to engage in trade with Vietnam, fostering cultural exchange and a shared history. This, along with a mutual desire for peace, national independence, and prosperity, has laid a solid foundation for the strong bond between the people of Vietnam and Iran.

In 2009, the Vietnam-Iran Friendship Association and Iran-Vietnam Friendship Association were established in their respective countries. These organizations have played a significant role in strengthening and advancing the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Iran. They have achieved this through various activities such as people-to-people exchange programs, economic collaborations, historical conferences, and seminars that aimed to introduce the culture, traditions, customs, and current socio-development situations of each country.

Following the accomplishments of recent years, the Friendship Association of Vietnam and Iran is committed to enhancing and expanding its activities. Our focus includes fostering stronger ties between the two countries through increased exchange programs for younger generations and students. Through these initiatives, we aim to further strengthen the bond of friendship and promote cooperation between Vietnam and Iran.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vietnam highlighted the strong and multifaceted relationship between Iran and Vietnam over the past 50 years. He emphasized the key elements that have contributed to this relationship, including mutual respect, the advancement of bilateral relations in politics, economics, and culture, and constructive cooperation in multilateralism.

The economies of Iran and Vietnam are complementary. Vietnam, as a rapidly growing country, has a strong demand for energy and petrochemical products. Iran, on the other hand, is a major exporter of petroleum and petrochemical products with competitive prices. In addition, Vietnam can supply the Iranian market with coffee, tea, and spices, while Iran can export agricultural products like apples, kiwis, and cherries to Vietnam.

There is significant potential for bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including economy, trade, investment, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

In the future, both countries should focus on enhancing trade and investment promotion efforts, fostering stronger business connectivity, and expediting the negotiation and signing of a Preferential Trade Agreement.

Iranian films have earned a strong following in Vietnam, captivating audiences with their artistry and storytelling abilities. These films are frequently invited to participate in international film festivals in Vietnam and have received prestigious awards. The cultural exchange between Iran and Vietnam through cinema has been highly successful.

Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari believes that Iran and Vietnam, with their cultural similarities, rich civilizations, long historical roots, shared sentiment, and common destiny, have the potential to further develop their relationship.