 The national flags of Vietnam and Mongolia (photo: vietnamplus.vn) |
Vietnam and Mongolia have a long history of friendship and cooperation. Mongolia considers Vietnam an important partner in Southeast Asia. Vietnam considers Mongolia an important partner in Asia. In recent years, the two have maintained regular high-level delegation exchanges between ministries, sectors, and friendship organizations. Vietnam and Mongolia are currently preparing for the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties on November 17, 2024.
Foundation of the fine relationship
Since establishing diplomatic relations on November 17, 1954, Mongolia has stood side by side with Vietnam in the cause of national independence. Since 1979 Vietnam and Mongolia have held 15 Intergovernmental Committee meetings to promote bilateral cooperation, and the two have signed agreements on culture, education, science, and technology.
In 2009, they coordinated to install a statue of President Ho Chi Minh and opened a Ho Chi Minh Cultural Center at High School No.14 in the capital Ulanbator.
In 2013 Vietnam and Mongolia co-produced the film "Life as a movie", with many of its scenes shot in Vietnam. It was widely shown in Mongolia and Vietnam. Mongolia sent an art troupe to participate in the 2014 Hue Festival in the year that Vietnam-Mongolia diplomatic relations celebrated their 60th anniversary. Student exchanges have been carried out every year since the 1960s.
Vietnam is a gateway for Mongolian goods to enter ASEAN, but trade turnover between the two countries has seen only modest growth. Bilateral trade turnover totaled 81 million USD in 2021, 85 million USD in 2022, and 65 million USD in the first 9 months of this year. Yet, the two countries have not connected by direct flights.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and Mongolian PM Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai meet on the sidelines of the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin, China, on June 27. (Photo: VNA) |
Cooperation potential between Vietnam and Mongolia
Vietnam and Mongolia are preparing several activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. At recent meetings, both sides have supported expanding cooperation in all fields, particularly in agriculture. Mongolia exports agricultural products and meat to many countries. It exports horse meat to Japan, lamb to Egypt, and goat to China. Mongolia imports Vietnamese chicken and rice. Vietnam and Mongolia have agreed to strengthen cooperation and remove obstacles to trade.
Vietnam has many agricultural strengths, while Mongolia has many of the rare herbs Vietnamese businesses need to produce traditional medicines and food supplements.
Tourism is another potential area for cooperation. Only 18,000 Vietnamese tourists have visited Mongolia. Mongolia aims to send 1,800 tourists a year to Vietnam. There is also room for cooperation in other fields, such as vaccine production for livestock and poultry, and aviation services.
Within the framework of the visit, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry will coordinate with the Mongolian Embassy and Chamber of Commerce and Industry to organize a Vietnam-Mongolia Business Forum to generate favorable conditions for businesses. The visit by Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to Vietnam will help to realize current cooperation potentials and open a new stage of cooperation in various fields.