Dili, July 16, 2026 – The Europe Today: Vietnam officially inaugurated the office of its embassy in Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili, on Wednesday, marking the transition of the diplomatic mission to fully functional and centralised operations just over three months after its establishment.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Timor-Leste’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas; Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Maria da Costa Rangel; representatives of the Office of the President of Timor-Leste; heads of ASEAN diplomatic missions in Dili; representatives of Telemor, Viettel’s subsidiary in Timor-Leste; and members of the Vietnamese community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires Phạm Bình Đàm said the opening of the embassy office not only fulfils the mission’s operational requirements but also reflects Vietnam’s long-term commitment to strengthening its friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Timor-Leste.
He noted that the embassy would continue to serve as a vital bridge connecting government institutions, local authorities, and businesses from both countries while supporting Timor-Leste’s ongoing integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
On behalf of the Timor-Leste government, Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay congratulated Vietnam on the inauguration of the embassy office and reaffirmed his country’s high regard for its longstanding friendship with Vietnam. He expressed confidence that the embassy would play an important role in expanding bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest.
The two sides are also working together to complete the necessary procedures for the transfer and renovation of the former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) building in Dili, which will serve as the permanent headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy.
Following the inauguration ceremony, the Vietnamese Embassy hosted the regular meeting of heads of ASEAN diplomatic missions in Dili, underscoring its growing role in promoting regional cooperation and diplomatic engagement in Timor-Leste.
