Hanoi (VNA) - As Vietnam and Portugal are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, both governments have agreed to open embassies in each other’s capitals, which is considered a foundational step to propel the bilateral relationship to a new level, according to Nguyen Manh Thang, Chargé d’Affaires at the Vietnamese Embassy in Portugal.

Thang noted that while Vietnam-Portugal official diplomatic relations were established on July 1, 1975, shortly after Vietnam’s reunification, historical links between the two nations dated back over 500 years ago. Portuguese navigators first arrived in Hoi An in 1516 to engage in trade and cultural exchanges. Significantly, Portuguese missionary Francisco de Pina was among the early pioneers of Vietnam’s Latin-based writing system (Quoc ngu scripts) in the 17th century.

Over the past five decades, Vietnam and Portugal have steadily strengthened their relationship across multiple sectors, most notably in politics, diplomacy, trade, culture, and education.

On the political front, both nations have maintained regular exchanges at all levels, fostering mutual trust and laying a strong foundation for expanded cooperation. A milestone was recorded in June 2015, when then Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung paid an official visit to Portugal, marking the first high-level visit in the history of the bilateral ties.

Vietnam and Portugal have supported each other in multilateral fora such as the United Nations, the ASEAN–EU framework, and ASEM, and worked together to promote peace, stability, and development at both regional and global levels, noted Thang.

In terms of trade and investment, since the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect, bilateral trade has maintained an upward trajectory, growing at an average annual rate of 12% from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, the trade value reached an all-time high of 705 million USD.

Portugal’s expertise in renewable energy and green transition has led to successful collaboration, most notably with EDP Renewables’ investment of 500 million USD in wind and solar energy projects in southern Vietnam—an exemplary model of mutual trust and sustainable development.

Government agencies of both nations have identified further opportunities for cooperation in high-potential sectors such as tourism, high-tech agriculture, digital transformation, renewable energy, and blue economy.

Beyond political and economic ties, cultural and people-to-people exchanges have flourished. Artistic performances and cultural events have helped bridge gaps and promote mutual understanding between the people of both countries.

Notable examples include the joint issuance of a Vietnam–Portugal commemorative stamp on July 1, 2016, and the Viet Bac Folk Song and Dance Ensemble’s performances at Lisbon City Hall and the city’s museum from July 13 to 17, 2016.

In November the same year, the Camões Portuguese Language and Cultural Centre was launched at the Faculty of Portuguese at Hanoi University, becoming the sixth such centre globally. More recently, in May 2025, the Portugal–Vietnam Friendship Association was established to foster links among local administrations, universities, and businesses.

Twinned relations between their localities have also expanded, including those between Ho Chi Minh City and Porto (July 2023) and between Dong Nai province and Vila Nova de Gaia (May 2025), contributing to local socio-economic development.

According to Thang, while the bilateral ties have made significant strides over the past 50 years, much remains to be explored. The current efforts by both countries to open embassies in Hanoi and Lisbon are expected to accelerate diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchanges.

The diplomat emphasised the need to expand cooperation not only between the two governments but also through Party-to-Party, parliamentary, and people-to-people channels, thus strengthening political trust and mutual understanding, and paving the way for a comprehensive and upgraded partnership.

Vietnam considers Portugal as a bridge for deepening ties with the European Union and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Conversely, Portugal may benefit from Vietnam’s position as a strategic gateway to ASEAN and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Both Vietnam and Portugal are dynamic economies with strategic regional positions. While bilateral trade has grown, it remains modest compared to the full potential of both markets.

With both countries being signatories to the EVFTA, businesses can capitalise on tariff preferences to boost the export of Vietnamese agricultural products, seafood, textiles, and footwear to Portugal, while accessing Portuguese high-tech, industrial, and renewable energy products. The two sides are working towards a shared goal of reaching 1 billion USD in annual trade in the near future.

In terms of investment, Vietnam welcomes the continued presence of EDP Renewables and looks forward to attracting additional Portuguese investment in shipbuilding, maritime transport, energy, agriculture, digital transformation, sustainable urban planning, and tourism.

Vietnam’s young, skilled, and industrious workforce is well-positioned to meet labour demands in Portugal. The two countries also share rich cultural heritages and open, hospitable populations, providing fertile ground for further cultural and educational cooperation.

Teaching the Portuguese language in Vietnam, as well as sport and cultural exchanges, have helped narrow the geographical distance between the two nations. The Vietnamese and Portuguese communities in each country, though small in number, have played a vital role in fostering friendship.

Vietnam welcomes the establishment of the Portugal–Vietnam Friendship Association and looks forward to substantive initiatives to enhance people-to-people ties and deepen mutual goodwill, stated Thang.

To ensure the bilateral relationship continues to flourish and matches the excellent political ties and shared potential, the diplomat underscored the importance of maintaining high-level exchanges at all levels, including Party, Government, State, and Parliament, channels and expanding cooperation between localities and among their people.

He advocated for regular political consultations between the two foreign ministries and for the two upcoming embassies to act as key facilitators of political, business, and civic engagement.

In parallel, both countries should intensify efforts to promote trade and investment, assist businesses in leveraging the EVFTA's benefits, and jointly encourage the remaining EU member states to ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), creating a robust legal framework for business and investment activities.

The establishment of specialised cooperation mechanisms in key sectors such as blue economy, renewable energy, science and technology, and circular economy will provide the structural foundation to address challenges and unlock shared opportunities, he said.

In other areas, the two sides should prioritise the signing of further bilateral agreements in defence and security, labour, education and training, culture, sports, and science and technology, ensuring long-term, sustainable cooperation.

Thang highlighted that 2025 is a landmark year for Vietnam - Portugal relations. It not only celebrates 50 years of diplomatic ties but also represents an opportunity to reaffirm a shared commitment to a modern, practical, and forward-looking partnership.

He went on to reveal that a range of commemorative events will take place throughout 2025 in both countries, alongside official congratulatory messages between their leaders, and particularly the establishment of the embassies in each other’s country.

The diplomat concluded that with the solid foundation and achievements of the past 50 years, and the strong political will of the two governments and the people, Vietnam–Portugal relations are set to expand and deepen, rising to a new height that reflects the true potential, shared values, and mutual aspirations of the two nations./.