Honorary Consulate Office of Viet Nam in Dublin inaugurated

Earlier in May, Mr. Patrick Gerard McKillen was appointed as the first Honorary Consul of Viet Nam in Dublin.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Ireland Nguyen Hoang Long expressed thanks to the Irish authorities for creating favorable conditions for Viet Nam to open the Honorary Consulate Office in Dublin. 

Despite geographical distance, the two nations have similarities in addressing crucial global issues and work together in coping with global challenges such as climate change and environmental issues. 

A number of high-ranking visits were held over the recent years, remarkably Irish President Michael D. Higgins' State visit to Viet Nam. Viet Nam's exports to Ireland tripled from US$170 million in 2019 to US$500 million in 2022, said the diplomat. 

Viet Nam is the only Asian nation among nine priority recipients of Ireland's development assistance and Ireland provided €5.6 million in 2021 and €6.3 million in 2022 in official development assistance (ODA) capital for Viet Nam, the Ambassador noted. 

Nguyen expressed his belief that the opening of the Honorary Consulate Office is an important step in strengthening the political, trade, investment, education, science and technology cooperation between the two nations, thus maintaining and deepening the friendship ties between their peoples. 

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Sean Fleming welcomed the opening of the Honorary Consulate Office of Viet Nam in Dublin, adding that the two nations have gained achievements over the last 27 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. 

Ireland considers Viet Nam a crucial partner in Asia, he reiterated. 

Meanwhile, Honorary Consul Patrick Gerard McKillen expressed his honor to hold the post, committing to spare no efforts in carrying out functions and tasks assigned to the consulate.

The office is set to carry out citizen protection affairs, support the Vietnamese community in the Republic of Ireland, enhance the introduction and promotion of Viet Nam and its people in Dublin in particular and the Republic of Ireland in general, helping to foster the bilateral cooperation in multiple fields./.