Viet Nam wishes to write a new chapter in its multifaceted cooperation with the brotherly Arab nations.
Profound bonds rooted in history
As the aircraft carrying President Luong Cuong, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation prepared to land at the international airport in Cairo, the Egyptian capital came into view from the vast skies. Like a ribbon, the Nile River wove its way through a sun-drenched, desert-hued landscape. Perhaps it is this unique imagery that causes one to associate Egypt with marvels and resilience — a land through which the world’s longest river flows, breathing life into arid soil and forming the cradle of one of humanity’s greatest ancient civilisations, one that continues to flourish to this day.
And it is with this faraway land that a deep bond has long existed between the peoples of Viet Nam and Egypt, as well as with other Arab nations — a bond rooted in history and personally cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and the pioneering leaders of many Arab countries. In the hearts of Egyptians and people across the Arab world, vivid memories of Ho Chi Minh remain — a great friend and tireless fighter for peace, independence, and freedom.
Throughout President Luong Cuong’s visit, during high-level meetings and engagements, Egyptian leaders and officials from the Arab League repeatedly expressed their admiration and respect for the beloved President Ho Chi Minh, for Viet Nam’s historic struggle for national liberation, and for the country’s rise to prosperity under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. When receiving President Luong Cuong at the Arab League headquarters, where the Vietnamese president delivered his policy speech, Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit movingly shared: “Since the 1950s, the people of Egypt and Arab countries — including myself — have followed with admiration the heroic struggle for national independence of the Vietnamese people, considering it a model for Egypt and Arab nations to follow. When it comes to President Ho Chi Minh, no words can fully express our deep admiration for him.”
During official talks, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi also consistently voiced his profound respect for President Ho Chi Minh, praising Viet Nam’s heroic history and the country’s remarkable development achievements under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi affirmed: “Egypt deeply values and aspires to further strengthen the traditional friendship and steadfast brotherhood it shares with Viet Nam.”
The deep bond between the two countries and peoples also stems from shared cultural admiration and exchanges, reflecting an emotional connection that transcends geographical distance. These are two lands with distinct yet harmoniously interwoven identities, where mutual affection and long-standing friendship have grown strong.
In his speech at the Arab League Headquarters, President Luong Cuong remarked: “The treasure trove of epic tales, philosophy, and poetry spanning thousands of years from the Arab world has enchanted generations of Vietnamese people. The unique cultural identity and timeless spiritual values of Egypt and Arab nations remain an endless source of inspiration, of intellect, bravery, love of freedom, and justice, enriching the civilisation of humankind. Viet Nam deeply values and takes pride in having diplomatic ties with all 22 member countries of the Arab League, with cooperation across many sectors becoming increasingly substantive and effective. Viet Nam-Egypt relations stand as a fine example of friendship and brotherhood.
Elevating relations
This historical deep bond, mutual appreciation, and shared commitment to fostering cooperation between Viet Nam and Egypt, and more broadly, between Viet Nam and Arab nations, continues to be nurtured with a vision toward a brighter future. Egypt was the first North African country to officially recognise Viet Nam as a full market economy in November 2013 and remains Viet Nam’s largest trading partner in the region. In 2024, bilateral trade reached 541.36 million USD, and Egypt has 22 registered investment projects in Viet Nam, with total capital of 2.87 million USD.
President Luong Cuong’s visit to Egypt reaffirms the steadfast and loyal ties forged during the struggle for national liberation, while also serving as an opportunity for the two countries to discuss directions and measures to elevate their relations to a new, more substantive, effective, and sustainable level, satisfying the demands of development and international integration of each country in today’s context.
In all high-level meetings, both sides consistently expressed their commitment to deepening ties, enhancing bilateral relations, and establishing a new framework that allows Viet Nam and Egypt to further strengthen political trust and implement additional agreements across mutually beneficial sectors. These include green and digital transitions, energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, labour, climate change mitigation, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. Both parties also agreed to further support businesses, investors, and win-win cooperation activities. A clear testament to these shared aspirations was the affirmation by President Luong Cuong and President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of their determination to raise bilateral trade to 1 billion USD in the near future.
President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi stated that, with its strategic position connecting three continents and its broad network of free trade agreements, Egypt is ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese businesses and products to access markets in the Middle East and Africa. Meanwhile, during his meeting with President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly proposed the establishment of a Viet Nam-Arab business council and pledged to act as a bridge linking Viet Nam with markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Arab countries. He affirmed that favourable conditions would be created for Vietnamese enterprises to operate in Egypt. For his part, President Luong Cuong emphasised that Viet Nam is ready to play the role of a bridge, further promoting cooperation between ASEAN and the Arab League, especially in safeguarding peace and advancing a just and equitable world order based on international law, where the voices and legitimate aspirations of developing countries like ours are heard and respected.
It is a matter of great value to inherit, preserve and further develop the relationship that was diligently nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and generations of leaders and people of the two countries since the early days of the struggle for national liberation, elevating it to new heights amid today’s complex global landscape. On this foundation, to match the growing scope of bilateral relations and the aspirations of both peoples as well as to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, President Luong Cuong’s state visit to Egypt resulted in both sides agreeing to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive partnership.
The outcomes of the visit reflect a strong and enduring traditional friendship, as both nations and peoples, Viet Nam and Egypt, continue to support each other’s development and progress. In his remarks, President Luong Cuong quoted the beloved President Ho Chi Minh: “Unity, unity, great unity. Success, success, great success”, affirming that that truth still holds true today. The strength lies in unity. “We look forward to working with our friends to write a new chapter in the multifaceted partnership between Viet Nam and the brotherly Arab nations, for peace, cooperation, and development," he said.
