KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Kuwait organized the “Homeland Spring – Lunar New Year 2026” program. The event marked the Lunar New Year of the Horse and coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Kuwait. During his opening remarks, the Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Duc Thang extended New Year greetings to the Vietnamese community in Kuwait and to Kuwaiti friends, highlighting the importance of the celebration as both a cultural gathering and a milestone in bilateral relations.
The ambassador emphasized the depth of Vietnam–Kuwait relations over the past five decades, noting that Kuwait was the first Gulf country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in January 1976 and has been a major provider of development assistance. He added: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuwait donated 600,000 vaccine doses to Vietnam, underscoring the strength of bilateral friendship.” The ambassador stated that economic cooperation has also expanded significantly. Bilateral trade reached nearly $7 billion in 2025.
Kuwaiti investment exceeded $3.5 billion, notably in the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Project. He said, “The relationship entered a new phase in November 2025, when the two countries elevated ties to a strategic partnership during the official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Kuwait.” Turning to the Vietnamese community in Kuwait, the ambassador praised its unity and active engagement with the Embassy. The community has around 150 members. They maintain stable livelihoods and vibrant cultural and social activities. The ambassador reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to supporting overseas Vietnamese and implementing policies of the Party and Government for the diaspora.
Reviewing Vietnam’s achievements in 2025, the ambassador noted that the country met and exceeded all 15 key socio-economic targets. Vietnam’s GDP grew by 8.02 percent to reach approximately $530 billion, ranking 32nd globally. Total import and export turnover surpassed $930 billion, representing an 18.2 percent increase compared to 2024, and placing Vietnam among the world’s top 15 trading nations. Foreign direct investment reached $27.62 billion, the highest level recorded during the 2024–2025 period, while international tourist arrivals exceeded 20 million. The International Monetary Fund ranked Vietnam among the world’s top 10 fastest-growing economies.
Vietnam upgraded relations with 17 partners in 2025, bringing the total number of comprehensive partnerships or higher to 43 countries, and signed nearly 350 international cooperation agreements. The country also strengthened its multilateral engagement and successfully hosted three major international conferences.
UNESCO added seven new recognitions to Vietnam’s portfolio, raising the total number of UNESCO titles to 77, the highest in Southeast Asia,” the ambassador said. The ambassador also highlighted the significance of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which set a new development vision under the theme “Unity – Democracy – Discipline – Creativity – Development,” reaffirming the country’s goal of becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045.
About the Author
