State President’s Vatican visit opens up prospects for bilateral ties

The visit marks the first high-level contact between the two sides over the past seven years.

It will be a very important event for the sides to discuss measures aimed at promoting bilateral relations, as well as Catholic activities in Viet Nam.

The relations have seen positive progress over recent times. The two sides have maintained high-level contacts, as well as effectively implementing the Joint Working Group mechanism. 

The Vietnamese State pursues an unwavering policy of respecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion, creating favorable conditions for religious activities in general and for Catholic activities in particular, the Deputy FM said.

On the Vatican side, Pope Benedict XVI issued instructions and messages directing Vietnamese Catholic dignitaries and followers to accompany the nation, become good citizens, and contribute to the country.

The Vatican has also maintained good cooperation with Viet Nam.

Official Vatican delegations have visited Viet Nam annually since 1990 to discuss pastoral issues of the Catholic Church.

The Viet Nam - Holy See Joint Working Group held its 10th round meeting in the Vatican on March 31, 2023 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States.

The Vietnamese community in the Vatican is currently divided into two groups: those working for the Holy See and those residing there./.