At her talks with Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Dhaka, Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury described NA Chairman Hue’s visit to Bangladesh, which was the first by the top Vietnamese legislator to the country, as a notable event held at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. At their talks, both leaders expressed appreciation for the mutual trust, and close attachment between leaders and people of the two countries.They agreed that there is great potential and opportunities for the two countries to further boost cooperation.

On this occasion, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two legislatures, which is the first of its kind to be inked in the 50-year history of Vietnam – Bangladesh diplomatic ties. They agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and via the State, Government, parliamentary and people-to-people exchange channels; step up the implementation of bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation; and the recently-established Bangladesh-Vietnam Friendship Association.

In 2022, the two-way trade reached 1.5 billion USD, and it is on the right track to achieve the target of 2 billion USD in the near future. Bangladesh has become the second biggest trade partner of Vietnam in South Asia.

Hailing Bangladesh as a promising market with a population of nearly 170 million, NA Chairman Hue suggested more favourable conditions for Vietnam to expand its exports to the South Asian country, particularly those of Vietnam’s strength, such as agricultural machinery, raw materials, household appliances, electronics, and processed agro-fishery products. He also proposed increasing cooperation in Halal food.

Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury spoke highly of the organisation of the policy and law forum to boost bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, while also calling on Vietnamese firms to explore the market and invest in Bangladesh and asking Vietnam to further facilitate Bangladesh’s exports, including pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and leather and footwear.

To enhance cooperation between the two parliaments, the two sides established the Vietnam-Bangladesh Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and the Bangladesh-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group. National Assembly Chairman Hue proposed that Bangladesh should continue to create conditions for Vietnamese people in Bangladesh to enjoy safe and stable lives, serving as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to continue working closely together at multilateral forums, especially the UN and ASEAN-led mechanisms. They noted that both Vietnam and Bangladesh are members of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure, which presents opportunities to share views and boost cooperation in issues of mutual interest, including climate change and human rights.

In Dhaka, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin, President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Shah Alam and President of the Workers Party of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon. The Vietnamese leader thanked Bangladesh’s political parties for their support and their shared view on the need to strengthen Vietnam-Bangladesh ties.

At the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivered a policy speech in which he made suggestions to strengthen bilateral ties, especially by bolstering economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

On the occasion of the policy and law forum to boost bilateral economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Bangladesh, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the businesses from the two countries, including MoUs between BMH Vietnam Company and Doreen Group Bangladesh on investment cooperation, technology transfer, and development of pre-engineered steel production; between Bangladesh Vietnam Development Assistance Company and Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Association on the pharmaceutical exchange; and between Huong Giang Aviation Services and the Bangladesh Tourism Association to establish a tourism alliance.

Meeting with the overseas Vietnamese community in Bangladesh at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy, the NA Chairman expressed his wish that the Vietnamese community in Bangladesh, no matter their position, always look towards the fatherland and contribute to strengthening the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Affirming that the Party and State always consider the Vietnamese community abroad as an inseparable part of Vietnam, the NA leader expressed his hope that the overseas Vietnamese will continue to teach Vietnamese for their children and build community institutions and cultural institutions when possible, towards connecting and interacting with the Vietnamese community in other countries, especially countries in the same region.

In the friendly and cordial atmosphere at meetings and talks with senior Bulgarian leaders, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the Bulgarian leaders expressed their shared belief that, with the will, efforts, and determination of both sides, the Vietnam-Bulgaria cooperation continues to be consolidated and nurtured on the foundation of good traditional friendship, meeting the aspirations of the two peoples.

During his talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Rosen Zhelyazkov, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that Vietnam always values and wishes to strengthen traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Bulgaria.

In the spirit of friendship and frankness, the two National Assembly Chairmen discussed many issues, both bilateral and multilateral issues. The two sides believed that bilateral relations have been strengthened and continuously expanded in many aspects, but are not commensurate with the political trust and potential of both sides. With the desire and determination to deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields, the two sides agreed on several major cooperation directions.

Regarding politics and diplomacy, the two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations and delegations between ministries, sectors and localities, as well as fostering cooperation between committees and agencies of the National Assembly and promoting the implementation of agreements between the two countries. The two countries will also continue to coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums.

To improve the trade balance and boost economic cooperation, the two sides support the effective implementation of bilaterally signed documents, as well as documents signed within the EU framework and soon organisation of the 24th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on economic, trade and scientific cooperation. The two countries will promote market accessibility for products of each other and open up new areas of cooperation in processing, manufacturing, high technology, innovation, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.

On this occasion, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue thanked the Bulgarian National Assembly for ratifying the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), before his visit, demonstrating the importance of traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The agreement will also create a solid and favourable legal basis for businesses of the two countries, to expand investment cooperation in the future, after the effectiveness of the agreement.

The two sides also agreed that education, training, labour, tourism, and cooperation between localities are traditional areas of potential cooperation, that need to be promoted more effectively in the coming time.

Discussing at length the relationship between the two National Assemblies, both National Assembly Chairmen were pleased to see that the cooperation between the two countries' National Assembly is developing well. They agreed to maintain their regular exchanges of all-level delegations between specialised committees, and the two parliamentary friendship groups, enhance the sharing of information and experience in parliamentary activities, and continue to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums. 

To further enhance the practical, effective and sustainable development of the friendly and cooperative relationship, between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Bulgarian National Assembly, following the talks, the two NA leaders signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Vietnamese and Bulgarian legislative bodies, which took effect immediately and replaced the former document, signed on April 16, 2012.

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Chairman of the Bulgarian National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov witnessed the signing and handover of four cooperation documents.

● Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese NA Office and the Bulgarian NA Secretariat.
● Programme for Cooperation in the Field of Culture between the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, for 2024-2026.
● A plan for cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, for 2024-2026.
● Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of ties of friendship and cooperation between Pernik District and Vinh Phuc Province.

Within the framework of the official visit to Bulgaria, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also had meetings with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that in its foreign policy, Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship with countries in Central and Eastern Europe, with Bulgaria being a priority partner. 

Vietnam is a trustworthy partner and loyal friend of Bulgaria, affirmed President Rumen Radev, while hosting visiting National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. The President emphasised that the visit of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held great significance and helped to bring the special friendship and cooperation, between the two countries, to a new stage.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister emphasised that the visit of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is a favourable opportunity for the two sides to exchange and agree on specific measures, to consolidate and deepen relations between the two countries in the coming time. He affirmed that he would direct Bulgarian ministries and branches to coordinate the implementation of the results of the visit. 

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that the State, NA and people of Vietnam, always remember the valuable, whole-hearted support of Bulgaria to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence, as well as the present cause of national construction and development.

Within the framework of the official visit to Bulgaria, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received leaders of several Bulgarian and Danish associations and businesses. The National Assembly Chairman said that one of the focuses of the delegation’s visit was to seek opportunities and promote trade, investment and business activities, between Vietnamese enterprises and Bulgarian enterprises in particular and with European enterprises in general. At the meetings, the Vietnamese top legislator hailed and thanked the Bulgarian legislature for its recent approval of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), with an absolute majority of votes; and expressed his hope that EVIPA will soon take effect and be implemented, bringing benefits to all EU members and Vietnam.

Meeting the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria and five other European countries, including Greece, Romania, Turkey, Czechia and Slovakia, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasised, that the initiative to organise a large meeting with the Vietnamese communities in some countries is a form of meeting that needs to continue to be maintained; at the same time, he highly appreciated the initiative to establish associations (businessmen, women) within the Vietnamese communities in Europe.

According to the Chairman of the National Assembly, thanks to the time-honoured friendship over the past 73 years, between Vietnam and Bulgaria, the visit affirmed Vietnam's determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially over the next 27 years (the time to reach 100 years of bilateral cooperation). Vietnam has about 30,000 people who have studied and worked in Bulgaria and currently, about 1,000 Vietnamese people are studying and living in the country. NA Chairman Hue assessed that this is an asset and a bridge for friendship between the two countries. 

The NA Chairman hoped that overseas Vietnamese will always strive to build a united community, help each other develop, focus on preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language, and national cultural identity and contribute to building the homeland to become more powerful and prosperous.