Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Saudi Arabia (Photo: Duong Giang/ VNA)

Mr. Chinh expressed empathy for the challenges faced by Vietnamese workers working far from home and acknowledged the significant potential for expanding relations with the Middle East, Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

Vietnam and Saudi Arabia aim to bolster political trust, increase high-level exchanges, and work toward upgrading their relationship. They’re also considering negotiating a free trade agreement and an investment protection agreement to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, labor, and other fields.

The Prime Minister said that amid the growing ties between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Transport, Vietnam Airlines JSC, and other Vietnamese airlines should consider launching direct air routes linking Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Chinh said he hopes Vietnamese workers in Saudi Arabia will continue to introduce their fellows to work here, and asked relevant agencies to design and implement training programs and send more Vietnamese workers to Saudi Arabia to work.

The PM said that he will ask Saudi authorities to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese in Saudi Arabia and support their legal rights and interests in work, study, and daily life.