Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s visit to open new chapter in Viet Nam-Spain relations
VGP - Spanish Ambassador to Viet Nam Carmen Cano de Lasala expressed her confidence that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s upcoming visit to Viet Nam will open a new chapter in the bilateral relations.
Spanish Ambassador to Viet Nam Carmen Cano de Lasala
The Spanish Prime Minister is set to pay an official visit to Viet Nam from April 8-10 at the invitation of Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.
In a recent interview with VGP, the Ambassador said, this is the first visit by a Prime Minister of Spain to Viet Nam, especially in the context that the two countries will celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
"With this visit, we aim to express the political will to make the most of the bilateral relations between both countries. Spain and Viet Nam are very close partners with complementary economies. Both countries are showing very strong performance in an uncertain international context", she shared.
The visit of the Spanish Prime Minister will contribute to strengthen and enhance the ties between the two countries, said the diplomat, adding that she hopes that it will soon be reciprocated by a Vietnamese high-level visit to Spain.
During the visit, agreements will be signed on investment, agriculture, political consultations, culture and sports, and cooperation between respective diplomatic academies.
"We are committed to work to bring the relation to a new level", the diplomat noted.
According to the diplomat, this visit also offers a unique opportunity to discuss the contributions that Spanish companies, which are global leaders in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy or circular economy, can offer to the economic development of Viet Nam.
The visit takes place in a complex geostrategic environment, with increasing uncertainties and instability. In this context, reliable partners become even more important. Spain and Viet Nam understand well the importance of peace and freedom, therefore both nations also share a commitment to multilateralism and a rule-based international order.
"We want to work together in favor of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. In June this year, Spain will host the UN conference for financing development", told Cano de Lasala.
Fruitful development in Viet Nam-Spain relations
Regarding achievements in the bilateral ties, the diplomat said, Spain was the first EU member state to sign a strategic partnership with Viet Nam, in 2009. The European nation was also among the first to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). This is a demonstration of the willingness to work together to explore all the untapped potential of the bilateral relationship.
"We already enjoy solid diplomatic relations and very positive figures in our trade and investment figures during the last years", she told.
Since the establishment of Strategic Partnership, bilateral economic and trade relations have seen significant development. Spain is Viet Nam's fifth biggest trading partner in the EU, while Viet Nam is Spain's largest trading partner in ASEAN.
From 2019-2024, the two-way trade value maintained a solid growth rate, averaging 8.7 percent per year.
In 2024, the bilateral trade reached US$4.72 billion—the highest level ever—marking a 20 percent increase compared to 2023.
The newly established The Spanish Chamber of Commerce is a vivid example of Spain's commitment to strengthening economic ties with Viet Nam.
In terms of investment, as of January 2025, Spain has poured US$143.9 million in 97 projects in Viet Nam, ranking 46th out of 149 countries and territories investing in the country.
Meanwhile, Viet Nam has invested in three investment projects in Spain with a total capital of US$64.2 million, mainly in the fields of scientific and technological research and processing and manufacturing industries, making Spain ranked 24th out of 79 countries where Viet Nam has outbound investments.
Regarding development cooperation, Viet Nam has always been one of the priority countries in Spain's development cooperation policy.
Spain has committed more than US$1 billion in ODA loans and non-refundable aid to Viet Nam via six cooperation programs aimed at poverty reduction, gender equality, healthcare, and clean water supply. These contributions have played an important role in Viet Nam's socio-economic development.
"I would also like to underline growing exchanges between our respective societies. Viet Nam is becoming a very popular destination for Spanish tourists, who feel welcome and comfortable with the Vietnamese culture", highlighted the Ambassador./.
