Hanoi, June 12, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Lương Cường of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Thursday presided over an official welcome ceremony for President Gitanas Nausėda of the Republic of Lithuania and his spouse at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, marking the start of a two-day official visit to Vietnam from June 11 to 12.
This high-level visit, the first by a Lithuanian head of state to Việt Nam in many years, signifies a pivotal moment in bilateral relations and reflects the growing importance both nations attach to their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation.
The welcoming ceremony featured the national anthems of both countries and a formal review of the Guard of Honour of the Việt Nam People’s Army. The two leaders also introduced their respective high-level delegations.
Diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Lithuania were established on March 18, 1992. Over the past three decades, the two nations have developed a strong foundation of political trust and effective cooperation, marked by complementary economic capabilities and a shared commitment to addressing global challenges.
President Lương Cường affirmed Vietnam’s recognition of Lithuania as a sincere and reliable partner in Central and Eastern Europe. In turn, President Nausėda acknowledged Vietnam’s increasing role as a dynamic economic player in Southeast Asia and an influential member of ASEAN.
Both sides share converging views on key global issues, including sustainable development, digital transformation, climate change, and energy security. They also maintain close coordination in multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, ASEM, and ASEAN–EU dialogues.
Lithuania has demonstrated consistent support for Việt Nam–EU cooperation, being among the first EU member states to ratify the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Economic ties between the two countries continue to deepen, with bilateral trade reaching US$192.7 million in 2023 and rising to $206.97 million in 2024. Trade turnover in the first quarter of 2025 alone amounted to $94.7 million. Vietnamese and Lithuanian officials emphasized opportunities for growth in areas such as clean energy, logistics, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and high-tech industries.
The two sides aim to maximize the potential of existing trade agreements to enhance market access and strengthen EU–ASEAN supply chain integration. Key areas for future cooperation include digital governance, education, science and technology, high-tech agriculture, healthcare, environmental protection, tourism, and skilled labour exchange.
Lithuania is recognized as a European leader in e-government and digital entrepreneurship, while Việt Nam is actively implementing its national digital transformation strategy through 2030.
Following the welcome ceremony, Presidents Lương Cường and Gitanas Nausėda led official talks to evaluate the progress of bilateral cooperation and discuss strategic directions for the future. The two leaders are also scheduled to witness the signing of several cooperation agreements between relevant ministries and agencies of both countries.
