Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan visits Nepal: Looking back on half a decade's journey, creating momentum for a new cooperation journey

Vietnamese Ambassador to India and Nepal Nguyen Thanh Hai paid a courtesy call to Nepalese Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav on the occasion of his working visit to Nepal, April 2024. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in India)

Could you please tell us the purpose, meaning and importance of the official visit of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to Nepal?

At the invitation of Nepalese Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will pay an official visit to Nepal from August 23-25. After attending the solemn official welcoming ceremony of Nepal, the Vice President will hold talks with Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav, greet senior Nepalese leaders, meet the Vietnamese community in Nepal and attend activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador to India and Nepal Nguyen Thanh Hai. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in India)

This is the first visit by a Vietnamese Vice President to Nepal and the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader to Nepal since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975. The visit is of great significance in the context of Vietnam and Nepal celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1975-2025).

The visit demonstrates the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, and the importance of our Party and State in relations with traditional friends, including Nepal. The visit also meets Nepal's desire to strengthen effective and mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to Nepal is an opportunity for both sides to review the progress made in bilateral relations over the past half century, especially in recent years. At the same time, the Vice President will also discuss with Nepal's leaders specific directions and measures to promote bilateral relations more effectively and practically in the coming years. In the context of Nepal's efforts to develop the country in a socialist direction, the leaders of the two countries can also share experiences and lessons in development.

Ambassador, could you please tell us the most prominent features of the bilateral relationship between the two countries over the past 50 years?

Vietnam and Nepal have cultural similarities and share the same aspirations for peace , national independence and sustainable development. In particular, the Nepalese people have united and given Vietnam deep affection and strong support for the cause of national independence and unification. These are important and favorable foundations for the relationship between the two countries.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on May 15, 1975, over the past half century, cooperation between the two countries has seen many positive developments. On the basis of deep trust, political relations between the two countries have developed well.

The two sides actively promoted bilateral visits and contacts between high-ranking leaders and all levels of the two countries, notably the official visit to Vietnam in 2019 by Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the official visit to Nepal this time by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. The two countries have also maintained close coordination and effective mutual support at international and regional forums.

Although trade cooperation between the two countries is still modest, it has made positive progress with bilateral trade turnover at less than 100 million USD/year. More and more Vietnamese products, especially agricultural products, aquatic products, food, industrial and consumer goods, are available in the Nepalese market. Nepalese textiles and handicrafts are also becoming more widely known in Vietnam.

Nepalese Buddhist delegation visits and conducts religious activities in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Tho, Khanh Hoa, June 2025. (Photo: QT)

The two countries have cooperated in investing in the hydropower sector. Song Da Group has entered into a joint venture with Nepal's Kalika Group to build the Tanahu Hydropower Dam on the Seti River.

Tourism between the two countries has also developed positively. Vietnamese tourists are increasingly visiting Nepal, especially to explore the scenic spots in Kathmandu Valley, the tourist paradise of Pokhara, the majestic Himalayas and make pilgrimages to the Buddha's land in Lumbini. Meanwhile, the number of Nepalese people coming to Vietnam for tourism and to explore business opportunities is increasing.

People-to-people exchange is a bright spot in bilateral cooperation and is increasingly expanding, creating a bridge of friendship and a solid public opinion foundation for the relationship between the two countries. The friendship organizations of the two countries, the Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Association and the Nepal Peace and Solidarity Council, play an important role and have operated effectively, regularly organizing exchange activities, connections, and delegation exchanges, contributing positively to enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries.

In addition, the Vietnamese community in Nepal with about 250 people has made positive contributions to promoting Vietnamese culture and cuisine in the locality. In particular, Vietnamese Pho shops in the capital Kathmandu are very popular with Nepalese people.

Overall, although there have been many positive developments, the relationship between Vietnam and Nepal is not yet commensurate with the potential and desires of both sides.

The delegation of Bac Ninh province presented Dong Ho folk paintings to the Central External Relations Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal on the occasion of their visit to Nepal, April 2024. (Source: bacninh.gov.vn)

When the economic and trade relations between the two countries are considered to be so modest, in the current context, what should the two countries do to promote bilateral economic cooperation, Ambassador ?

To promote economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, I think it is necessary to implement many synchronous solutions. In particular, relevant ministries and branches of the two countries need to soon discuss the establishment of frameworks and mechanisms to enhance economic, trade and investment cooperation; at the same time, consider promoting cooperation agreements in specific areas such as labor, tourism, education, etc.

In addition, the two sides need to increase trade and investment promotion activities and encourage business delegations to visit each other. Through discussions with Nepalese politicians and business community, I learned that Nepal wants to import consumer goods, machinery, processed agricultural products and construction materials, and also wants to attract investment in areas such as hydropower, renewable energy, smart agriculture and tourism. In addition, Nepal also has many outstanding products, especially handicrafts, medicinal herbs and herbs that Vietnam can increase imports.

I think that enhancing air connectivity, especially opening direct flights between Vietnam and Nepal, is very important, not only facilitating tourism and people-to-people exchanges but also supporting the activities of businesses and entrepreneurs of the two countries.

I believe that the official visit to Nepal by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will promote cooperation between the two countries to become stronger, more effective and more substantive, including trade, investment and tourism cooperation.

Thank you very much Ambassador!