President Tran Dai Quang begins State visit to Egypt

This is the first visit to Egypt by a head of the State of Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1963. 

The visit is to reaffirm commitments that both sides signed in 2017, and promote measures to boost bilateral cooperation in all aspects such as politics, economy-trade and investment, culture and education. 

President Tran Dai Quang was welcomed at the airport by authorities of Luxor (Photo: VNA)

Egypt is one of the first Arab countries to have relations with Vietnam. From 1958, Vietnam established a trade representative office in Egypt. Then, on September 1, 1963, Vietnam and Egypt officially set up diplomatic ties. The same year, Vietnam opened its embassy in Cairo. One year later in 1964, Egypt opened its embassy in Hanoi.

Egypt was the first North African country to recognise Vietnam’s market economy in November 2013.

Egypt is the fifth largest trade partner of Vietnam in Africa. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached 350 million USD in 2017. Vietnam’s main exports to the country included seafood, auto spare parts, fabrics, black pepper, coffee, rubber, and consumer goods. 

Each year, Egypt provides 12 Arab language training scholarships for Vietnamese students. On the occasion of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s visit to Vietnam in September 2017, Egypt pledged to provide technical assistance and training for 10-20 officials on Halal standards for goods exported to the Muslim market.

The two countries have coordinated and provided mutual support at international forums, as well as shared views on issues of mutual concern at the United Nations.