Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Ms. Carmen Cano De Lasala, Spanish Ambassador to Vietnam (April 4, 2024). (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez paid an official visit to Vietnam from April 8 to 10, 2025.

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by a Spanish Prime Minister since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1977 and is also the first official visit to Vietnam by a high-ranking Spanish State leader in 19 years since the visit by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia in 2006.

The official visit to Vietnam by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to create a boost, and economic and trade relations between the two countries in the coming time promise to have many strong, positive and more dynamic changes.

This shows Spain's respect and desire to promote closer cooperation with Vietnam, while affirming Vietnam's growing position and role in the region and the world.

The visit is expected to create a boost, thereby promising more strong, positive and dynamic changes in economic and trade relations between the two countries in the coming time.

Strong Development Strategic Partnership

The relationship between Vietnam and Spain actually originated five centuries ago through trade relations when the first Spanish merchants came to Hoi An port to build a prosperous trade in the region.

The two countries officially established diplomatic relations on May 23, 1977.

Over the past 48 years, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have continuously developed and expanded bilateral cooperation in many fields.

The bilateral relationship has become increasingly stronger and more comprehensive since the two countries established the Strategic Partnership towards the Future.   during President Nguyen Minh Triet's visit to Spain in December 2009.

During his visit to attend the Summit to celebrate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations in Brussels, Belgium, on the afternoon of December 14, 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

It is even more special when Spain is Vietnam's first strategic partner in the European Union (EU).

Over the past time, the two countries have built a strong relationship and extensive cooperation with mutual trust and understanding through regular delegation exchanges and cooperation at all levels.

On the Vietnamese side, there were visits to Spain by: Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (October 2001); President Nguyen Minh Triet paid a State visit (December 2009); Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son attended the ceremony to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and attended the Investment Promotion Forum in Madrid (June 2012), visited and conducted political consultations (September 2015); Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang paid an official visit (March 2023); Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man paid a working visit (March 2023); Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on the occasion of attending the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) (November 19, 2024).

On the Spanish side, there were visits to Vietnam by Foreign Minister Carlos Oetstendo (February 1996); Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Rodrigo Rato attended the 3rd ASEM Economic Ministers' Meeting in Hanoi (September 2001); Queen Sofia (February 2002); First Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa attended the 5th ASEM Summit in Hanoi (October 2004); King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia paid a State visit (February 2006); Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Juan Antonio Daness Banuevo visited and held the second Deputy Foreign Ministerial Political Consultation (November 2011); Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ybanez Ignacio Rubio attended the fourth Deputy Foreign Ministerial Political Consultation (January 2017); Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Global Affairs Diego Martínez Belío visits Vietnam to conduct the 5th Vietnam-Spain Political Consultation (April 2024)…

Most recently, on the occasion of attending the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on November 19, 2024.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to further deepen the strategic partnership with Spain; and thanked the Spanish Government for supporting Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3 (international name: storm Yagi).

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez. (Photo: VNA)

The Prime Minister proposed that the two sides increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones; soon sign a Joint Action Program between the two governments in the new period; and promote cooperation in the fields of transport infrastructure, renewable energy, science and technology, and agriculture.

For his part, the Spanish Prime Minister agreed with the proposals of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, suggesting that the two sides cooperate in the field of infrastructure such as subways, urban railways, urban planning; have practical activities towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 such as organizing cultural days of the two countries, promoting people-to-people exchanges, culture, sports, tourism, and actively supporting each other at multilateral forums.

The two countries currently maintain the mechanism of Political Consultation meetings at the Deputy Foreign Minister level and the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The two countries actively cooperate and support each other at multilateral mechanisms, especially within the framework of the United Nations and ASEAN-EU.

Economic and trade cooperation has many prospects.

Since the two countries established a strategic partnership, bilateral economic and trade relations have developed strongly. Spain is Vietnam's fifth largest trading partner in the EU and Vietnam is Spain's largest trading partner in ASEAN.

During the 2019-2024 period, bilateral trade turnover maintained a good growth rate, at an average of 8.7% per year.

In 2024, bilateral trade turnover will reach 4.72 billion USD (the highest level ever), up 20% compared to 2023. The import-export structure between Vietnam and Spain is complementary, not directly competitive.

Among them, Vietnam mainly exports to Spain the following items: textiles, iron and steel, footwear, phones and components, coffee, machinery and spare parts, computers and electronic products; and imports from Spain the following items: pharmaceuticals, machinery and spare parts, chemical products, raw plastics, and animal feed.

The two sides effectively implemented the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which took effect from August 2020. Spain also ratified the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in January 2022.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Doan Thanh Song, as the first country to ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), Spain increasingly considers Vietnam a promising market for its businesses.

The newly established Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi is a vivid example of Spain's determination to strengthen economic relations with Vietnam.

Regarding investment, as of January 2025, Spain has 97 projects in Vietnam with a capital of 143.9 million USD, ranking 46th out of 149 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, focusing on the fields of processing and manufacturing industry (accounting for 56.1%) and accommodation and catering services (accounting for 32.8%).

Ambassador Doan Thanh Song said that Spain's recent notable investments in Vietnam are in the fields of renewable energy, wind energy, solar energy and digitalization, which are areas in which Vietnam is looking to attract high-tech foreign direct investment (FDI).

On the other hand, Vietnam has 3 investment projects in Spain with a capital of 64.2 million USD in the fields of scientific and technological research and processing and manufacturing industry (ranked 24th out of 79 countries with Vietnam's investment).

Regarding development cooperation, Vietnam has always been one of the priority countries in Spain's development cooperation policy.

Spain has committed to providing Vietnam with ODA loans and non-refundable aid worth more than 1 billion USD through 6 cooperation programs for poverty reduction, gender equality, healthcare, and clean water supply, making an important contribution to Vietnam's economic and social development.

Assessing the prospects for cooperation between the two countries, Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Doan Thanh Song said that the Spanish economy has many complementary and supportive features with the Vietnamese economy.

The first solar power plant in Con Dao (Ba Ria-Vung Tau) under the "Promoting Solar Power Development in Vietnam" project worth 140,000 Euros out of a total value of 1 million Euros, provided by the Spanish Government as non-refundable aid, contributes to increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources in Vietnam. (Photo: Ngoc Ha/ VNA)

Spain is the 4th largest economy in the EU, 14th in the world and is the fastest growing developing country in the world in 2024 with GDP growing by 3.2%, almost 5 times the Eurozone average.

Spain has many key economic strengths that Vietnam is looking to develop. This European country has advanced transport infrastructure with the second largest high-speed rail network in the world and competitive average costs of building high-speed trains.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has abundant solar and wind energy resources. Spain is currently one of the regional leaders in renewable energy deployment.

Spain is accelerating its move towards a coal-free electricity sector, with plans to phase out coal by 2025 – five years ahead of schedule – and on track to generate more than half of its energy from renewable sources. The EU’s largest hydrogen plant is also located in Puertollano, Ciudad Real, Spain.

In addition, Spain is also the 2nd largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the EU and the 6th largest globally, with a world-leading food processing industry.

Spain's agri-food sector is the country's leading industry and is industrialized, large-scale and modernized. These are areas in which the two countries can strengthen cooperation in the future.

In the field of education and training, the two countries focus on language training, with the support of the Cervantes Chamber and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation - AECID (which annually supports sending 2 lecturers to teach languages ​​in Vietnam). From 1998 to 2018, Spain has granted about 285 scholarships to Vietnam.

Cooperation in culture, sports and tourism between the two countries has always been promoted. The two sides signed a tourism cooperation agreement (April 2002), a cultural, educational and scientific cooperation agreement (June 2005); coordinated the organization of many delegation exchanges, cultural, artistic, film, exhibition and tourism promotion activities in each country.

On the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi (2010), Spain sponsored the upgrading of a hotel of the Hanoi People's Committee according to Spanish architecture and participated in the Ceramic Road project.

Vietnam currently offers a unilateral visa exemption for Spanish citizens for 45 days. In 2024, Vietnam welcomed 91,400 Spanish tourists.

A very prominent point in the strategic partnership between the two countries in recent times is the increasingly vibrant cultural and people-to-people exchanges, creating a foundation for increased understanding and trust between Vietnam and Spain.

As Queen Sofia once told President Nguyen Minh Triet in 2009: ''My family loves Vietnam with all our hearts.''

Performing arts at the opening ceremony of "Vietnam Day in Spain 2017." (Photo: Ngu Binh/VNA)

Vietnamese culture, cuisine and art are warmly welcomed by many Spanish people.

Currently, there are about 1,000 Vietnamese children adopted by Spanish families, integrating well into the local community and still preserving their national cultural identity.

The Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association was established in May 2004, with many cooperative activities with Spanish partners, especially in the fields of culture and education.

In recognition of his contributions to strengthening the connection between the people of the two countries, in 2020, the King of Spain awarded the First Class Civil Merit Medal to President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association Nguyen Duc Loi.

The Vietnamese community in Spain currently has about 5,000 people, mainly small traders, integrated into the local community. The Vietnamese Community Liaison Committee in Spain was established in January 2023.

Deepening the Vietnam-Spain Strategic Partnership

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Doan Thanh Song, Vietnam and Spain are at a stage where they share the most common interests ever to deepen their Strategic Partnership.

Both Spain and Vietnam are looking to seek, expand and develop new markets and partners. Spain has an important position and influence not only in Europe, especially Southern Europe, but also in Spanish-speaking countries, Latin America and North Africa, being a strategic connection point between these regions. Vietnam's strengthening of relations with Spain will also help the country expand its cooperation as well as its role and prestige in these regions.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man visits the deep-water seaport of Barcelona (Spain, 2023). (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)

With the desire to deepen the Strategic Partnership, this official visit to Vietnam by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is of great significance, demonstrating Spain's determination to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam.

It is clear that more and more Vietnamese enterprises want to penetrate the Spanish market. However, this number is considered very modest compared to the potential for cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Doan Thanh Song said that this could be one of the reasons why Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was determined to bring many leading Spanish corporations to Vietnam during his visit to Vietnam this time.

The visit took place after the two countries celebrated the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership (2009-2024) and before the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (May 23, 1977-May 23, 2027).

The visit contributes to strengthening and promoting diplomatic, economic and trade relations between the two countries; it is expected to create great momentum and impetus for the two countries to continue their efforts to develop the relationship towards new heights, more substantive and effective.

Ambassador Doan Thanh Song said that during the visit, the two sides are expected to focus on discussing measures to promote cooperation to enhance political trust, deepen the existing relationship and open up new opportunities in potential areas, especially in politics-diplomacy, economics-trade-investment, science and technology, infrastructure, urban transport, sustainable development, renewable energy, etc. The two sides are also expected to sign a number of documents to promote bilateral cooperation.

On the eve of the visit, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stressed that “Vietnam has become a magnet for foreign investment” and affirmed that “thanks to the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, Spanish companies, leaders in sectors such as infrastructure and renewable energy, will be able to develop important business opportunities in Vietnam.”

This statement, together with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's visit to Vietnam, will certainly help orient the interests and priorities of the Spanish people and business community towards Vietnam, opening up many other cooperation opportunities./.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in coordination with the Spanish National Championship (La Liga) held a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (until June 2026) on developing professional football, community football in Vietnam, as well as national teams and other sports training projects (September 6, 2023). (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lam-sau-sac-them-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-viet-nam-tay-ban-nha-post1025132.vnp