Vietnamese Ambassador Writes: Fifty Years of Vietnamese-Kuwaiti Relations

Fifty Years of Vietnam–Kuwait Relations: From Traditional Friendship to a Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development

In 2026, Vietnam and Kuwait will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1976–2026). Over the past five decades, bilateral relations have been built on the foundations of friendship, solidarity, and political trust, gradually expanding from traditional friendship to tangible cooperation across a wide range of fields. The elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership during the historic visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister to Kuwait in November 2025 marked the beginning of a new chapter, providing a stronger framework and fresh momentum to deepen and broaden cooperation between the two nations.

A Friendship That Has Withstood the Test of Time

The bonds between Vietnam and Kuwait were nurtured by the sentiments of solidarity and support expressed by the Kuwaiti people during Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification. In the past, many Kuwaitis took to the streets to express their opposition to the Vietnam War, while Kuwaiti media voiced strong support and admiration for the Vietnamese people’s will and resilience. In return, Vietnam fully supported Kuwait’s efforts to restore its sovereignty following the Iraqi invasion. These manifestations of solidarity laid an important foundation for the enduring and steadfast friendship between the two peoples.

In January 1976, Kuwait became the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. During Vietnam’s post-war reconstruction phase, Kuwait provided practical assistance through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to implement numerous transportation, irrigation, and socio-economic development projects in several Vietnamese regions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuwait also timely provided 600,000 vaccine doses to Vietnam. This valuable support has contributed to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two countries.

In recent years, facing common challenges in the region and the world, Vietnam and Kuwait have continued to exchange views and coordinate positions, supporting each other in various international forums. Cooperation has been prioritized on issues including maintaining an environment of peace, stability, and development; participating in the United Nations Human Rights Council; respecting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 (UNCLOS); promoting the two-state solution for the Palestinian people; strengthening cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and expanding cultural exchanges between countries and regions.

Economic Relations Enter a More Dynamic Phase

Economic relations have become a cornerstone of the relationship between Vietnam and Kuwait. Kuwait is currently Vietnam’s largest investor from the Middle East region, with total investments exceeding USD 3.5 billion, concentrated in the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Thanh Hoa Province. This project represents not only a major investment but also a clear example of the integration between the two economies and the shared interests underpinning the partnership between the two countries.

Kuwait is also Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa. Bilateral trade volume reached between USD 7 and 7.5 billion over the past three years, reflecting the growing scale and depth of trade relations between the two countries. Vietnam primarily imports crude oil, petrochemical products, and industrial inputs from Kuwait, while Vietnamese products—including electronics, mobile phones, agricultural and marine products, textiles and garments, wood products, and consumer goods—are gaining increasing presence in the Kuwaiti market.

Vietnam and Kuwait are witnessing new opportunities as both countries work to transform their economic growth models and deepen their integration into the global economy. Vietnam is striving for strong growth, with a major focus on investment in infrastructure, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 8.02 percent in 2025, and the government aims to achieve double-digit growth rates in the coming years. Vietnam’s total trade has ranked among the top 15 trading economies in the world and is expected to exceed USD 1 trillion in 2026. Foreign investors have shown great optimism, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reaching approximately USD 41 billion in the first eight months of 2026, an increase of over 55 percent year-on-year.

At the same time, Kuwait is advancing its path of economic development and diversification under the Kuwait Vision 2035 framework. Amid significant regional changes, Kuwait continues to strengthen its resilience, consolidate the foundations of its economy, and play an increasingly active role in the Gulf region. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kuwait’s real GDP is expected to grow by 3.8 percent in 2026, while the non-oil sector is projected to grow by 3.0 percent. This reflects the growing importance of economic diversification as a driver of growth and opens the door for further international cooperation, as well as a denser partnership between Kuwait and Vietnam.

A New Chapter in Strategic Partnership

The elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership in 2025 has established a favorable framework for expanding and diversifying cooperation between the two countries. The two sides have set an ambitious goal of raising bilateral trade volume to USD 12–15 billion by 2030, while expanding areas of cooperation to include investment, energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, food security, and defense and security, as well as addressing non-traditional challenges.

It is worth noting that Kuwait can explore investment opportunities to expand its presence in Vietnam, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, energy, finance, logistics, and technology. In return, Vietnam can continue to develop its exports to Kuwait, including agricultural and marine products, halal food, electronics, and industrial goods.

Food security stands out as an area with clear potential, combining Kuwait’s need to diversify its supply sources with Vietnam’s strengths in agricultural production and food processing. In addition, the digital economy, education, tourism, cultural exchange, and human resource development offer further areas for enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam places great importance on the friendship and practical support provided by generations of Kuwaiti leaders and the people. The 50th anniversary represents an important milestone for both countries to reflect on a proud journey and look forward to a brighter future. The foundations laid over the past fifty years, along with the political trust enjoyed by the leaders of both countries, form a solid base for advancing the strategic partnership in a more substantive, dynamic, and effective manner.

In the coming years, the two countries can better leverage their complementary strengths, expand flows of trade, investment, energy, technology, and people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen the linkage between the Southeast Asia and Gulf regions. Through these efforts, Vietnam–Kuwait relations, which have been solidified over half a century, will continue to achieve new milestones in cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries and contributing positively to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Nguyen Duc Thanh

Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the State of Kuwait