Frequent delegation exchange activities and meetings at high level and all levels between the two countries have contributed to strengthening mutual understanding and trust, making important contributions to Vietnam-Mongolia cooperation.
The visits by the Presidents of Vietnam to Mongolia in 2000 and 2008 as well as the visits to Vietnam by the Presidents of Mongolia in 1994, 2005, and 2013 have laid the foundation for the development of bilateral relations. Vietnam and Mongolia have maintained their traditional friendship and regularly support each other at regional and multilateral forums.
The economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Mongolia has made much progress in recent years. The bilateral trade exchange in 1994-1995 was around 5-6 million USD, but it has grown rapidly in recent years toreach about 50 million USD in 2020 and 80 million USD in 2021. According to new data, two-way trade turnover reached 85 million USD in 2022, and there is still plenty ofroom for both sides to promote.
The products from Vietnam exported to Mongolia are mainly agricultural products, food, coffee, dried pho (noodle soup), pharmaceuticals, and beer. In addition, Mongolia exports many products of its strengths to Vietnam, such as white horse plasters, sheep's wool carpets, fine goat hair products, and products made from leather, including leather gloves.
Senior leaders of the two countries have signed many cooperation agreements such as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on economic and trade cooperation in 2021, an MoU on cultural cooperation in 2022, an MoU on cooperation in the field of immigration management, and anMoU on cooperation in the agricultural sector in 2022.
Vietnam and Mongolia are also exchanging drafts of new agreements, including the Agreement on Citizens' Travel Conditions (replacing the 2000 Agreement aimed at visa exemption for holders of ordinary visa for stays of less than 30 days), and the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investment.
In 2022, the two countries successfully implemented many important activities, including the Vietnam-Mongolia Business Forum, and the 18th meeting of the Vietnam-Mongolia Intergovernmental Committee in Ulaanbaatar. Notably, Mongolian Airlines has officially opened the first direct flight connecting Vietnam with Mongolia, thereby creating favourable conditions for people and businesses of the two countries to travel back and forth, thus promoting trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The cooperation between Vietnamese and Mongolian localities have recorded many positive achievements in recent years through visits, working sessions and the signing of the memoranda of understanding between the provinces of Tuv and Hoa Binh, Orkhon and Dak Lak, and Chingeltei District (of Ulaanbaatar) and Thu Duc District (of Ho Chi Minh City).
Appreciating the cooperation between the provinces and cities of the two countries, Mongolian Ambassador to Vietnam Jigjee Sereejav expressed his belief that the Vietnam-Mongolia friendship provides a favourable and solid foundation for localities to develop and jointly implement mutually beneficial cooperative programmes and projects.
In 2022, the two countries conducted successfully many important activities including the Vietnam-Mongolia Business Forum and the 18th meeting of the Vietnam-Mongolia Intergovernmental Committee in Ulaanbaatar.
In Mongolia's capital of Ulaanbaatar, High School No. 14 was named after President Ho Chi Minh. Mongolia's senior leader affirmed that they always value relations with Vietnam and consider Vietnam the most important partner in Southeast Asia.
Vietnamese leaders have also consistently affirmed their appreciation and aspirations to continue promoting the development of bilateral relations in many fields in accordance with the capabilities and needs of both sides, meeting the interests and aspirations of people of bothcountries. That is an important friendship foundation for Vietnam and Mongolia to continue promoting the development of potential areas and room in bilateral cooperation.
