The traditional friendship between the two countries has now entered a new phase, with strategic orientations that aim to bolster each side’s socio-economic development.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, Viet Nam and Belarus have continuously nurtured and strengthened their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, underpinned by increasing political trust. The two sides have regularly exchanged delegations, especially at high levels, laying a solid foundation for their time-tested relationship.
On January 30, 2025, the two countries signed an agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders — marking the first time a European nation has granted visa-free entry to Vietnamese citizens. This is a milestone of great significance, facilitating cooperation in numerous areas.
The traditional relationship between the two countries has recently been reflected in the growing collaboration between their sectors and localities, as well as vibrant people-to-people exchanges. The two sides have hosted Belarus Culture Days in Viet Nam. Cooperation agreements have been signed between the University of Languages and International Studies – Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi, and the Faculty of Oriental Languages at Minsk State Linguistic University.
The Belarusian Embassy in Viet Nam presented Dien Bien Province with a symbolic jar containing sacred soil from the Brest Fortress — where heroes sacrificed their lives for the homeland — on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. The gesture honoured both peoples’ shared values of courage, resilience, and peace.
Ha Noi and Minsk have signed a cooperation programme for the 2024–2026 period, focusing on investment, trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Friendship associations in both countries have actively promoted the culture, history, literature, and people of each country to the younger generations, thereby contributing to the consolidation of mutual understanding and bonds.
Belarus, located in Eastern Europe, is renowned for its picturesque natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage — from rolling flower-covered hills and vast pine forests to historic castles and vibrant traditional festivals. Its folk arts, including embroidery, ceramics, wood carving, and wind instruments, share similarities with those of Viet Nam, fostering closeness and mutual appreciation between the two nations.
During the visit, the Ministries of Culture of Viet Nam and Belarus signed a Cultural Cooperation Programme for 2026–2028. The agreement prioritises the organisation of Belarus Culture Days in Viet Nam and Viet Nam Culture Days in Belarus, as well as other cultural exchange activities. It also promotes information sharing and the preservation of each country’s cultural and natural heritage, while fostering direct partnerships between libraries, museums, academic institutions, and research centres in the fields of culture and the arts.
Economic cooperation has been identified as a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. During the visit, General Secretary To Lam and senior Belarusian leaders agreed to enhance the role and effectiveness of the Viet Nam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. The two sides will review existing agreements and propose measures to unlock new opportunities in trade and investment, aiming to significantly increase bilateral trade in line with their newly established strategic partnership.
Both countries are committed to facilitating business communities and investors in market exploration, product promotion, investment attraction, trade, and industrial cooperation. This will help promote practical, efficient, and comprehensive economic collaboration in shared areas of interest such as industry, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, science and technology, and information and communication.
The potential for bilateral cooperation remains vast and should be tapped more extensively and deeply in line with the needs and challenges of the current era. Beyond traditional sectors, future collaboration could expand into promising areas such as logistics, transportation, the digital economy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and high-tech agriculture. There is also room to enhance cooperation in addressing both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including pandemics, climate change, terrorism, transnational crime, cybersecurity threats, food security, energy security, and water resource management.
According to Belarusian Ambassador to Viet Nam Uladzimir Baravikou, the visit of General Secretary To Lam holds special significance, driven by the political will and vision of both nations’ leaders — who draw upon past experiences, grasp present realities, and look to the future. The agreements reached during this visit underscore a shared commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation across multiple sectors. Viet Nam is now a strategic partner of Belarus and a gateway for Belarusian exports to Southeast Asia. Belarus is ready to support food security in Viet Nam and hopes to supply Vietnamese markets with Belarusian beef in the near future.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belarus Nguyen Van Ngu highlighted tourism as a promising avenue for cooperation, particularly following the implementation of the visa exemption agreement and ongoing discussions by airlines regarding the opening of a direct flight route. This will also facilitate cultural and historical promotion programmes and exchanges of cultural, sports, and artistic delegations.
Viet Nam has expressed keen interest in Belarusian expertise and technology in high-tech industries, digital transformation, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and food processing. Belarus is prepared to cooperate in the transfer of advanced technologies, contributing to Viet Nam’s technology security. Meanwhile, Viet Nam’s exports of rice, nuts, coffee, fruits, and seafood to Belarus are on the rise, and Vietnamese-made microchips and electronic equipment have become increasingly popular in the Belarusian market.
Industrial cooperation is also emerging as a promising field. Belarusian products such as BelAZ dump trucks, MAZ lorries, and tractors are gaining traction in Viet Nam. During his visit to the Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), General Secretary To Lam remarked that many of the company’s machines are well-suited to Vietnamese conditions, particularly for use in small and medium-sized industries, agriculture, and construction. He suggested potential collaboration in the production of components such as engines and tyres. MTZ’s expanding cooperation with Vietnamese partners could significantly contribute to each country's economic development. Successful industrial cooperation in this area could become a hallmark of the Viet Nam-Belarus relationship.
The state visit by General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, along with the high-level Vietnamese delegation, has injected new momentum into bilateral ties. It has provided clear strategic direction for ministries, agencies, localities, and businesses in both countries to better understand each other’s potential, foster deeper cooperation, and deliver tangible results that will support the socio-economic development goals of both nations.
