PM Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Kuwait to usher in new phase of bilateral ties: Ambassador

The visit will be made at the invitation of Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. This is the first by a high-level Vietnamese leader to Kuwait in 16 years and it comes as the two countries prepare to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties in January 2026.

According to Ambassador Nguyen, the visit holds significant meaning both for bilateral cooperation and for Viet Nam's broader engagement with the Middle East. It follows the Prime Minister's 2024 tours to three Gulf nations, underlining Viet Nam's resolve to advance its foreign policy toward the region and to realize Resolution 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context. Through high-level exchanges, Viet Nam aims to reinforce friendly relations, strengthen political trust, expand markets, and unlock new cooperation potential with Kuwait.

As Kuwait is currently the Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and placing greater emphasis on ties with Asian nations, including ASEAN members, the two sides are well positioned to contribute to ASEAN–GCC cooperation. Viet Nam also hopes Kuwait will help push forward negotiations toward a Viet Nam–GCC Free Trade Agreement starting in 2025.

During the visit, Prime Minister Pham is expected to meet with the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, hold talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart, and meet ministers and major business leaders. Both sides will review nearly five decades of cooperation, exchange views, and outline directions and practical measures to expand collaboration in the coming period. A key event will be the Prime Minister's policy speech at the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute, where he will highlight Viet Nam's socio-economic progress and its priorities for deepening long-term, multifaceted cooperation with Kuwait and the wider Middle East.

Kuwait is the top Middle Eastern investor in Viet Nam, most notably its US$3.5 billion contribution to the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex. Bilateral trade reached US$7.3 billion in 2024 and topped US$5 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Imports of Kuwaiti crude oil ensure a stable supply for the Nghi Son refinery, which supplies more than 35 percent of Viet Nam's domestic fuel demand. Meanwhile, Viet Nam's exports to Kuwait have become more diversified, ranging from agricultural and aquatic products to machinery, electronics, and wooden furniture.

Ambassador Nguyen said that the two countries can expand cooperation in oil, gas, and energy, including emerging areas such as renewable energy. Viet Nam has the potential to become a major oil storage and distribution hub in Southeast Asia, while both sides can partner in solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects by combining Kuwait's financial resources with Viet Nam's engineering capabilities.

Viet Nam also welcomes more investment from Kuwaiti funds and sees opportunities to collaborate on major projects that could help shape new financial centres in the region. Viet Nam can serve as Kuwait's gateway to Southeast Asia, while Kuwait can help Viet Nam access Middle Eastern and neighboring markets.

In addition, Viet Nam's strength in agricultural and aquatic exports allows it to provide stable, diverse and Halal-compliant food supplies for Kuwait. Enhancing this cooperation would support Kuwait's food security while helping Viet Nam develop Halal-certified agricultural value chains and expand into GCC markets.

The diplomat also suggested that both countries should work toward establishing direct air routes and boosting tourism promotion, as Viet Nam is becoming a popular destination among Kuwaiti travelers./.