The steadfast bond with these nations from the arduous wartime years continues to be cherished and nurtured by generations of Vietnamese leaders and citizens, with efforts to preserve and strengthen these relationships in the new era.
The relationship between Viet Nam and Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is one of traditional friendship built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect.
The Vietnamese people will forever remember the enormous and valuable support that the people of the former Soviet Union provided to Viet Nam during the years of resistance for independence, as well as in the post-war national reconstruction.
The close affinity between the Vietnamese people and these nations is clearly manifested through the fond memories of numerous Vietnamese pupils and students who lived and studied in countries of the former Soviet Union, considering these nations as their second homeland.
These genuine sentiments form the solid foundation for the increasingly developing relationship between Viet Nam and traditional friendly countries.
Having established diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in 1992, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan all regard Viet Nam as an important partner in Southeast Asia. Viet Nam and these nations maintain delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, and coordinate closely at multilateral forums and international organisations. Trade and economic cooperation activities are becoming increasingly vibrant.
The Communist Party of Viet Nam maintains traditional relations with the Communist Party of Belarus and has meetings and contacts with the Belarusian Party “Belaya Rus”. A delegation from the Lower House of the Republic of Belarus recently visited Viet Nam to attend the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification - a momentous event marking the glorious victory of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for independence, freedom and national unity.
The participation of the Belarusian delegation not only demonstrated the country’s respect for the heroic history of the Vietnamese people but also served as a vivid testament to the close traditional friendship between the two countries.
Currently, the two countries maintain an intergovernmental committee mechanism. Bilateral trade turnover is approximately 100 million USD per year.
Despite geographical distance, Viet Nam and Kazakhstan share favourable conditions for developing bilateral relations. The two countries serve as gateways to the ASEAN and Central Asian regions, respectively, benefiting from numerous cooperation opportunities through the Viet Nam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement.
Bilateral trade in 2024 reached 800 million USD. The two sides launched the first official direct flight in November 2022, with the number of Kazakhstani tourists visiting Viet Nam growing strongly in recent times.
In his congratulatory message to Viet Nam on the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Viet Nam, Kanat Tumysh, expressed deep pride in being born in 1975 - the year of Viet Nam’s reunification - while expressing joy at Viet Nam’s strong development. The ambassador is confident that Viet Nam’s current reform efforts will achieve good results, leading the country into a new era of development.
Viet Nam and Azerbaijan have a long-standing relationship, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh himself and Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev, along with many generations of leaders from both countries. The Communist Party of Viet Nam maintains good relations with the ruling New Azerbaijan Party. Bilateral trade turnover in 2024 reached nearly 52 million USD.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam’s National Reunification, expressing his joy at experiencing the vibrant atmosphere during the Vietnamese people’s significant celebration, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Viet Nam, Shovgi Kamal Oglu Mehdizade, shared with the Vietnam News Agency: “I saw many people walking and taking photographs on the streets, especially at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Many children were wearing shirts printed with the Vietnamese flag. At that moment, I also wanted to go out onto the streets to share in the pride and celebrate with all the people.”
Overcoming historical changes and geographical distances, the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between Viet Nam and its friends and partners from the former Soviet Union are developing rapidly, bringing benefits to the people. The sincere affection and wholehearted support from traditional friends also serve as provisions for Viet Nam to stride confidently into the era of national rise.
