Building a strategic bridge
Taking place as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1961–2026), the three-day working visit featured productive meetings between the NA Chairman and Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami; President of the Moroccan House of Councillors Mohamed Ould Errachid; Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch; and leaders of the Morocco–Viet Nam Friendship Association, the Morocco–Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as meetings with the Vietnamese community.
A key highlight was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese NA and the Moroccan House of Representatives, succeeding and upgrading the 2017 memorandum of understanding. The new agreement establishes a broader framework for parliamentary cooperation, promotes delegation exchanges, legislative experience-sharing, and closer coordination in multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF). Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges among young and female parliamentarians and between professional committees, laying the foundation for long-term cooperation initiatives.
In all discussions, the NA Chairman emphasised that Viet Nam–Morocco relations represent not just intergovernmental cooperation, but a bond between two peoples rooted in a shared history of struggle and a common aspiration for peace and sustainable development. This message affirmed the determination of the leadership of the Party, State, and NA of Viet Nam to deepen bilateral relations based on political trust and extensive cooperation potential across various fields where the two countries possess comparative strengths.
At the policy forum “Promoting Viet Nam–Morocco Cooperation” held in Casablanca, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises Chakib Alj witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding between relevant agencies and enterprises, from both countries. The Chairman delivered an inspiring message to the business communities of both sides: “Though we may be geographically distant, our hearts are close.” Viet Nam and Morocco must work together to build an economic partnership compatible with their potential, acting as a bridge for Vietnamese goods to access Africa and for Moroccan products to enter ASEAN.
At the forum, the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises affirmed that with joint efforts and determination, cooperation with Viet Nam could become a model partnership between an African and an Asian country—based on mutual trust and effectiveness—bringing shared benefits to both peoples. Both sides have shown strong interest in concrete and practical areas such as negotiations on a new trade agreement, the removal of tariff barriers, and the promotion of cooperation in high-tech agriculture and renewable energy. With its Tanger-Med Port—the largest seaport complex in Africa—Morocco is well positioned to serve as a favourable gateway for Vietnamese goods to access African and European markets.
A land of cultural convergence
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and accompanying delegation had the opportunity to explore the Casablanca Finance City (CFC) model—an economic integration initiative currently of great interest to the Vietnamese National Assembly, Government, and people.
CFC serves as a financial bridge linking Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. According to official Moroccan statistics, in 2024, CFC handled over 30% of Morocco’s international financial transactions, including foreign direct investment (FDI). Policies such as corporate income tax exemption for the first five years and a preferential 15% rate have attracted major financial institutions to invest and establish long-term operations. In 2024, the CFC ecosystem included more than 20 fintech companies.
Initiatives such as digital payment platforms and blockchain have improved transaction efficiency, reducing international transaction costs by 10%. In 2024, Morocco recorded 1.2 billion cashless transactions—a 15% increase from 2023—most of which were processed through CFC platforms.
Participating in many activities throughout the visit, delegates expressed deep impressions from the moment they arrived in Rabat—, Morocco’s political and cultural capital—captivated by the unique fusion of traditional and modern life.
The meeting with members of the Morocco–Viet Nam Friendship Association and the Parliamentary Friendship Group, followed by a warm, sincere gathering between the Vietnamese community and the National Assembly Chairman and his spouse at the Embassy, reflected the deep affection and genuine friendship Moroccans hold for the visiting delegation and for Viet Nam.
During the visit, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s spouse, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga paid a visit to households in the Vietnamese Village, where she met with the local community, presented gifts, and conversed with residents. The green banana gardens in the village and bamboo groves lining city centre roads evoked a deep sense of homeland for many overseas Vietnamese. Stories of Moroccan soldiers who once stood alongside the Viet Minh in the resistance war against French colonial rule, of the Morocco Gate in Ba Vi and the Viet Nam Gate in Morocco, serve as vivid, unique symbols of the friendship between the two nations and peoples.
For Vietnamese youth, Moroccan artists have touched many hearts with Aita music and Bedouin rhythms—nomadic music from North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Levant—as well as films like “Casablanca Beats.” The stories and sentiments shared by Vietnamese citizens living in Rabat and other provinces who gathered to welcome the delegation further affirmed the special bond between the two nations—a connection that links a historical past with the realities of present-day life.
