Spanish Prime Minister embarks on official visit to Viet Nam
VGP - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived in Ha Noi on April 8 evening, starting his three-day official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (R) shakes hands Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, Ha Noi, April 8, 2025 - Photo: VNA
He was welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Doan Thanh Song, among others.
He was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Luis Planas Puchades; Spanish Ambassador to Viet Nam Carmen Cano de Lasala; Secretary of State for Economy and the G20 at the Office of the Spanish Prime Minister Manuel De la Rocha Vázquez; Secretary of State for Trade Amparo López Senovilla; Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs at the Prime Minister Office Emma Aparici Vázquez de Parga, among others.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Doan Thanh Song said that the visit represents a milestone in the bilateral ties as this is the first visit to Viet Nam by a Spanish Prime Minister since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1977 and the first high-level Spanish visit since King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia's trip in 2006.
This meaningful visit comes shortly after the two countries celebrated the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2024 and both countries will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
Spanish Ambassador to Viet Nam Carmen Cano de Lasala said that Spain's pioneering role as the first EU nation to sign a Strategic Partnership with Viet Nam in 2009 and among the first countries to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement. This clearly demonstrates the aspiration to fully optimize the untapped potential of bilateral partnership, she said.
Since their strategic partnership was formed, bilateral economic and trade links have been thriving strongly. Spain has become Viet Nam's 8th largest trading partner in the EU while Viet Nam has emerged as Spain's largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Bilateral trade has steadily increased by 15–20 percent annually, rising from US$1.2 billion in the 2010s to US$4.7 billion in 2024./.
