Kuwait City, November 18, 2025 – The Europe Today: Việtnam and Kuwait have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, with economic, trade and investment cooperation set to remain the central pillar of their enhanced ties. Both sides also committed to raising two-way trade to US$12–15 billion by 2030.
The agreement was reached on Monday during talks between Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, held after an official welcome ceremony at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City.
The Kuwaiti Prime Minister described PM Chính’s visit as a historic milestone that would generate fresh momentum for friendship and multifaceted cooperation as both countries enter a new phase of development. He praised Việtnam’s significant achievements in recent years and expressed confidence that the country would continue playing an active role in promoting peace, cooperation and development regionally and globally.
PM Chính reaffirmed that Việtnam valued its long-standing friendship with Kuwait, one of the first Middle Eastern nations to establish diplomatic ties with Việtnam in 1976. The two leaders agreed that nearly five decades of cooperation had laid a solid foundation for Kuwait to remain one of Việtnam’s leading trade, investment and development partners in the Middle East.
Strengthening Cooperation Across All Sectors
Entering a new phase with expanded opportunities and capacities, both leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. They committed to enhancing delegation exchanges at all levels, strengthening existing cooperation mechanisms and forming new specialised working groups — including a Joint Working Group on Digital Transformation — to promote cooperation across all sectors.
The leaders reaffirmed the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to over US$12–15 billion by 2030. Việtnam proposed accelerating negotiations for a Việtnam–GCC Free Trade Agreement and initiating talks for a Việtnam–Kuwait Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Energy, Investment and Major Projects
Both sides pledged close coordination to enhance the effectiveness of the Nghi Sơn Refinery and Petrochemical Project, highlighting its importance as a symbol of strategic cooperation and a key contributor to Việtnam’s energy security. Việtnam expressed readiness to provide oil and gas services and supply skilled human resources for Kuwait’s energy projects, while exploring new initiatives such as developing an oil storage and transshipment facility in Việtnam.
The Kuwaiti Prime Minister welcomed investment opportunities in Việt Nam and committed to encouraging the Kuwait Investment Authority and Kuwaiti businesses to pursue major strategic projects. He also instructed the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to streamline ODA procedures in coordination with Vietnamese counterparts.
He further highlighted the potential for cooperation in food security, proposing investment in an agricultural production facility in Việt Nam to supply the Kuwaiti market and neighbouring countries.
Economic Connectivity and Transport Links
The Kuwaiti leader proposed concluding an air transport agreement and exploring the possibility of launching direct flights between the two countries. PM Chính welcomed greater Kuwaiti investment and encouraged the Kuwait Investment Authority to invest in Việt Nam’s International Financial Centre. He also proposed negotiations on a long-term framework agreement for strategic commodities — including rice — to ensure Kuwait’s food security, and called for initiatives supporting Việt Nam’s Halal ecosystem.
Both sides discussed establishing a cold storage and transshipment centre in Kuwait to facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods to Middle Eastern markets.
Labour, Education, Tourism and People-to-People Exchanges
The two leaders agreed to promote labour cooperation, expand the intake of skilled Vietnamese workers in Kuwait and ensure proper protection of their rights. Relevant agencies were tasked with negotiating and signing a labour cooperation agreement soon.
They also agreed to deepen cooperation in science and technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, renewable energy, education, tourism and culture. The Kuwaiti Prime Minister pledged to expand scholarships for Vietnamese students, especially in STEM fields and fundamental sciences.
Both sides agreed to organise Việtnam Cultural Days in Kuwait and Kuwait Cultural Days in Việtnam, and to explore the possibility of visa exemptions for citizens of both countries.
Regional and International Cooperation
Discussing global and regional issues, the two prime ministers agreed to strengthen coordination at multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). They reaffirmed the principles of resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, stressing the need to protect civilians, prevent escalation and facilitate humanitarian assistance.
As one of the largest humanitarian donors to Gaza and Syria, Kuwait welcomed Việt Nam’s readiness to cooperate in reconstruction efforts in the Middle East.
The two leaders also agreed to intensify cooperation in security and defence, including experience-sharing and collaboration to address non-traditional security challenges.
Signing of Key Agreements
Following their talks, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of a Joint Statement on upgrading bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, along with several cooperation agreements between the ministries and agencies of both countries.
The upgraded partnership marks a major step forward in Việtnam–Kuwait relations, paving the way for deeper, broader and more effective cooperation in the years ahead.
