Vietnamese PM Chính Calls Việtnam–Kuwait Ties a “Model Partnership” During Policy Address in Kuwait
Kuwait City, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính delivered a comprehensive policy address at the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute on Tuesday, highlighting the growing strategic significance of Việtnam–Kuwait relations and expressing confidence that the partnership is poised to become a model of cooperation between Southeast Asia and the Gulf region.
The address formed part of PM Chính’s official visit to Kuwait — the first by a high-ranking Vietnamese leader in 16 years — and comes as both nations gear up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. The Prime Minister conveyed deep appreciation to the Emir, Crown Prince, Government and people of Kuwait for the warm hospitality extended to the Vietnamese delegation.
A World of Unprecedented Challenges
PM Chính outlined Việtnam’s perspective on the rapidly evolving international landscape, marked by unprecedented challenges, uncertainties and interconnected risks. He pointed to six major contradictions shaping global affairs but stressed that peace, cooperation and development remain the universal aspirations of nations, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and growing fragmentation.
Recognising the Middle East as a strategically vital crossroads linking Europe, Asia and Africa, he underscored the region’s essential role in global energy and trade flows and its cultural significance as home to three major world religions.
Shared Vision for Peace and Development
While acknowledging that each nation follows its own development path, the Prime Minister emphasised that Việt Nam and Kuwait share a common vision rooted in sincerity, equality, respect and adherence to the UN Charter and international law. Both countries, he said, are committed to advancing peace, justice, compassion and human-centred development.
He outlined Việtnam’s development journey over the past eight decades — from the struggle for independence to the achievements of Đổi Mới (Renewal). Việtnam’s national strategy, he noted, is built on a socialist-oriented market economy, socialist democracy and a socialist rule-of-law state.
Among Việt Nam’s core goals are maintaining political and social stability; placing people at the centre of development; and ensuring that economic growth goes hand in hand with social progress, justice, welfare and environmental protection.
The PM identified six priority policy areas, with economic development as the central task and foreign policy guided by independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation. He reaffirmed Việtnam’s national defence doctrine of “four no’s”, including non-alignment, non-participation in military alliances and a commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes.
Việtnam’s Rise and Global Integration
Reflecting on Việt Nam’s transformative progress since Đổi Mới, PM Chính noted the country has established diplomatic relations with 194 nations and comprehensive strategic partnerships with 14, including all five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Việt Nam has also concluded 17 free trade agreements with more than 60 partners.
By 2025, Việt Nam’s GDP is projected to reach US$510 billion with per-capita income expected to surpass US$5,000 — a significant leap from just over US$100 in 1990. The country is now one of the top 20 globally in terms of trade and investment attraction.
Five Decades of Việt Nam–Kuwait Friendship
PM Chính reviewed the strong foundation of Việt Nam–Kuwait relations, noting Kuwait was the first Gulf nation to establish diplomatic ties with Việt Nam in 1976 and the first to provide large-scale preferential ODA, including early support for major development projects such as the 1979 Dầu Tiếng irrigation project. Kuwait’s donation of 600,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses during the pandemic further demonstrated the depth of friendship.
Bilateral trade reached US$7.3 billion in 2024, supported by major investments including the Nghi Sơn Refinery and Petrochemical Complex. However, the PM stressed that economic cooperation remains below potential and called for renewed efforts to elevate ties.
Toward a New Strategic Partnership
PM Chính briefed attendees on the outcomes of his meetings with Kuwait’s leadership, during which the two sides agreed to upgrade relations to a Strategic Partnership. They outlined nine priority areas of cooperation, including:
- Strengthening political trust and high-level exchanges
- Enhanced coordination on national defence, security and cybersecurity under the Hanoi Convention on Cybercrime
- Expanding collaboration in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation
- Deepening energy cooperation, particularly in oil, gas and human-resource development
- Coordinated efforts on regional and global issues of mutual concern
He affirmed that Việt Nam–Kuwait relations stand at a “historic turning point”, positioned to become a model partnership linking Southeast Asia with the Gulf and a meaningful bridge between Asia and the Middle East.
The Prime Minister also praised the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute’s role in nurturing future diplomats and expressed confidence in the newly signed MoU between the two countries’ diplomatic academies, expected to bring concrete cooperation initiatives starting in 2026.
Following his address, Prime Minister Chính, his spouse and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation departed Kuwait for Algeria at the invitation of Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb.
