Important highlights on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnam-Mongolia diplomatic relations

General Secretary and President To Lam will pay a state visit to Mongolia at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.

This is a significant visit, coming on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1954-2024). Vietnam and Mongolia have a long-standing traditional friendship. The two countries established diplomatic relations on November 17, 1954, marking an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

Mongolia is one of the earliest countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam and Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia with which Mongolia established diplomatic relations.

The official visit to Mongolia in July 1955 by President Ho Chi Minh and the delegation of the Party and Government of Vietnam and the visit to Vietnam by First Secretary of the People's Revolutionary Party and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Mongolia Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal (September 1959) opened the way for the development of friendly relations between the two countries.

Over the past 70 years, the two countries' cooperative and friendly relations have been forged through hardships and challenges. The two countries have always maintained a foundation of mutual understanding and trust. The two countries' governments and peoples have always given each other selfless and transparent assistance during the struggle for independence and national reunification as well as during the current period of innovation and integration.

In recent years, the bilateral cooperation has achieved strong developments in all areas. Exchanges of delegations, including high-level and all-level delegations, have been held and promoted. Most recently, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang visited Mongolia (October 2023) and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh paid a state visit to Vietnam (November 2023); and the visit of the Supreme Prosecutor General of Mongolia B. Jargalsaikhan (March 2024).

Regarding economic cooperation, before 1990, the annual trade turnover reached about 2 million rubles (convertible); in 1996, the two sides signed a bilateral trade cooperation agreement and by 2008 it reached more than 6 million USD, in 2023 it reached more than 120 million USD, in 7 months of 2024 it reached 65.5 million USD and there is still much room for both sides to promote.

The two countries regularly maintain the mechanism of the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, which has held 18 meetings. Bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism, education and people-to-people exchange has all made progress, notably the signing of a visa exemption agreement for citizens of each country holding ordinary passports (November 2023), thereby contributing to enhancing people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

According to Mr. Galbaa Davkharbayar, Second Secretary of the Mongolian Embassy in Vietnam, in 2002, there were 1,500 Vietnamese tourists visiting Mongolia and by 2023, this number increased to over 2,000 people; at the same time, in the opposite direction, in 2022, there were more than 2,000 Mongolian tourists visiting Vietnam and increased to over 15,000 people by 2023.

Commenting on the cooperative and friendly relationship between Vietnam and Mongolia over the past 70 years, at the international scientific conference “70 years of Vietnam-Mongolia relations: Achievements and prospects” on September 12, Mr. Jigiee Sereejav, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Vietnam emphasized: “The legacy of mutual respect in relations and cooperation is a precious value of the people of our two countries.”

Based on the analysis of historical stages in the bilateral relationship, the Ambassador expressed his deep belief in the prospects of the relationship that is on the path of peak and favorable development. Accordingly, Vietnam is an important partner in the ASEAN region and the “third neighbor” of Mongolia, the cooperative relationship between the two countries will continue to develop strongly in the coming years.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Hong Thai, Institute of Northeast Asian Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, what created the long-standing traditional friendship between the two countries from the very beginning is the mutually supportive cooperation, which not only helps the two countries exploit their natural and social advantages but also strengthens national security and regional stability.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Thai said that the prospects for developing bilateral relations between the two countries are very positive thanks to the benefits and cultural similarities between the two countries. Mongolia’s “third neighbor” policy with the goal of diversifying foreign relations also opens up opportunities for Vietnam-Mongolia relations to develop further.

With the friendly and constantly developing cooperative relationship, the State visit to Mongolia by General Secretary and President To Lam is expected to promote bilateral relations in depth, substance and effectiveness, in line with the new situation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that during the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam is expected to discuss with senior Mongolian leaders major orientations and important measures to further strengthen political trust as well as enhance cooperation in many priority areas of both sides, especially politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, tourism and people-to-people exchange.

The traditional relationship between Vietnam and Mongolia over the past 70 years has been built on the basis of understanding, trust, support and mutual assistance. That special relationship has been tested through each period of history.

With the upcoming visit of great significance by General Secretary and President To Lam, we can be confident that the relationship between the two countries will continue to be strengthened and developed with many good results.