Bhutan and Vietnam have marked a new era of cooperation with the first-ever state visit by His Majesty King and Her Majesty Gyaltsuen to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from August 18 to 22, 2025.
This momentous occasion signals the beginning of a transformative partnership between two nations anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and visionary leadership.
The official engagements between His Majesty King and Vietnam’s top leaders—including General Secretary Tô Lâm, President Lương Cường, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn—reflected deep mutual admiration and a firm commitment to strengthening political and economic ties.
His Majesty’s visit to the mausoleum of President Hồ Chí Minh and the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs was a touching tribute, affirming Bhutan’s respect for Vietnam’s history and resilience.
Central to the visit was the strategic dialogue on the Gelephu Mindfulness City—Bhutan’s ambitious, values-based urban development initiative envisioned by His Majesty.
Vietnam’s leaders applauded this bold effort to merge spiritual heritage with modern design and innovation, recognizing its potential as a global model of sustainable development. The city opens promising avenues for Vietnamese investment in high-impact sectors such as green technology, infrastructure, and wellness tourism.
Economically, the visit laid essential groundwork for deepened trade and investment collaboration. Discussions to initiate negotiations on a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and an Investment Protection Agreement mark a critical step toward facilitating bilateral commerce.
Cultural and religious exchanges emerged as another pillar of this revitalized relationship. A shared Buddhist heritage and appreciation for intangible cultural wealth has inspired both nations to pursue closer ties in spiritual education, heritage conservation, and interfaith cooperation.
Joint programs, meditation retreats, and exchanges between monks and scholars promise to enrich the cultural fabric of both societies. Equally promising is the mutual dedication to environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and green development. With shared vulnerabilities to climate change, Bhutan and Vietnam’s agreement to collaborate on agriculture, eco- tourism, and clean technology highlights a responsible and forward-thinking alliance.
Human resource development, too, received meaningful attention. The two sides valued the importance of education, vocational training, and technological expertise, particularly in IT, science, and manufacturing, as foundations for inclusive growth and long-term cooperation.
The signing of two key MoUs during the visit and ongoing negotiations on an Air Service Agreement underline the commitment to practical progress. These instruments are expected to enhance air connectivity, bolster people-to-people exchanges, and elevate diplomatic engagement to new heights.
As this historic visit concludes, it leaves behind not only signed agreements and shared promises but also a profound sense of kinship between Bhutan and Vietnam. With visionary leadership at the helm and shared priorities on the horizon, this partnership stands as a beacon of purposeful diplomacy in the 21st century.
