A ceremony in Hanoi
The 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Israel was celebrated by the Israeli Embassy on August 27th in Hanoi. During the ceremony, the attendees reflected on the achievements the two countries have made over the past 31 years. Vietnam is Israel's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, while Israel is Vietnam's third-largest export market in West Asia. Every year, hundreds of Vietnamese students go to Israel for agricultural internship programs, while Israeli experts frequently visit Vietnam to conduct training sessions, exchange knowledge, and share experiences across various development sectors.
The event also marked the 76th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. The Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam, Yaron Mayer, stated, "In just 76 years, Israel has turned deserts into fertile, blooming lands and earned the title of 'Startup Nation.' The dynamic partnership between us and Vietnam has achieved remarkable success and continues to grow stronger."
Recalling the resilience of Israel, the Ambassador also emphasized that his country would continue to be a source of inspiration for innovation, education, and a model for modern development. These were topics discussed in recent high-level meetings between the two countries, including the visit of Deputy Prime Minister, now Head of the Central Economic Commission, Trần Lưu Quang, to Israel in July 2023.
During the ceremony, guests also had the opportunity to enjoy a musical performance by Israeli recorder artist Drora Bruck. She is one of Israel's leading musicians and music lecturers and has performed in many countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. Last week in Vietnam, Drora Bruck also held a music exchange session with students at Hanoi National University of Education.
Thirty-one years ago, on July 12, 1993, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. The Israeli Embassy in Hanoi opened shortly after, while the Vietnamese Embassy in Tel Aviv was inaugurated in 2009. Over the past 31 years, the two countries have proven to be mutually beneficial partners, with cooperation in many fields, notably trade, agriculture, high technology, startups, and people-to-people exchanges. Notably, in 2023, the two countries signed the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA), opening new opportunities for goods and services from both countries to enter each other's markets and their respective regions, with expectations to double trade volume within just a year of implementation.
