Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Argentina have continuously strengthened their relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years 🐲ago.

Argentina was one of the first Latin American nations to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on October 25, 1973, shortly after the Paris Peace Accords was signed. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter in Buenos Aires, journalist Gaston Fiorda from the National Radio of Argentina, who has longtime research of Vietnamese history, highlighted the enduring friendship between the two nations. He emphasised that despite the geographical distance, Argentina and Vietnam have fostered a strong bond based on mutual solidarity and support. The bilateral relationship remained dynamic in 2024, with both sides engaged in several high-level exchanges. Argentinean Minister of Foreign Affairs Diana Mondino visited Vietnam, while a series of Vietnamese delegations made working trips to Argentina, including the visit in August by Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member and Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc also co-chaired the 9th Political Consultation between the two foreign ministries in Buenos Aires in September. According to Fiorda, parliamentary cooperation between the two countries has continued to thrive. In 2024, the Argentine Parliament formed the Argentina-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group. In August, a delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly, led by Vu Hong Thanh, Chairman of the Economic Committee, visited Argentina to further strengthen bilateral ties. Along political and diplomatic relations, economic and trade collaboration between Vietnam and Argentina has also expanded. Vietnam is now Argentina’s sixth-largest trading partner, following Brazil, China, the US, Chile, India, and Paraguay. Argentina primarily exports soybean meal, oilcake, and corn for animal feed to Vietnam, which makes up 99% of its total exports to the country. In return, Vietnam exports electronics, phones, footwear, and textiles to Argentina. Fiorda noted that there remains ample room for growth in economic and trade relations between the two countries. More regions in both nations are establishing twinned relations, which contribute to local economic and social development. Looking ahead, Fiorda suggested that Vietnam and Argentina should further expand cooperation in agriculture and explore negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the South American Common Market (Mercosur), and another between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Mercosur. The journalist also praised Vietnam’s impressive 7.09% economic growth rate in 2024, underscoring its position as a key manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia./.