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Vietnam President pushes for deeper economic links with Sri Lanka
Vietnamese President Tô Lâm (centre) shakes hands with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the launch of direct flights Vietnam Airlines between the two countries yesterday in Colombo Says next stage of Vietnam-Sri Lanka relations should move beyond diplomatic goodwill toward concrete commercial outcomes, driven by speed, execution and mutual trust Acknowledges current bilateral trade, investment flows, tourism exchanges and business connectivity still at modest levels Outlines logistics and cargo transportation, manufacturing partnerships, food processing, textiles, tourism and services as priority areas for future cooperation Sri Lanka–Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum held in Colombo yesterday By Charumini de Silva Vietnamese President Tô Lâm yesterday called for a new phase of strategic economic cooperation with Sri Lanka, highlighting direct air connectivity, logistics integration, trade expansion and tourism cooperation as key pillars for strengthening bilateral ties. Addressing the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum held at Hilton Colombo, the President said the two nations share a long-standing friendship built on sincerity, political trust and people-to-people ties, noting that 2025 marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. He said the next stage of Vietnam-Sri Lanka relations should move beyond diplomatic goodwill toward concrete commercial outcomes, driven by speed, execution and mutual trust. “History shows that successful partnerships do not always begin with large numbers, but with the right connections, trust and shared determination,” he said. He said both nations are strategically positioned within the rapidly growing Indo-Pacific region and have the potential to play a greater role in regional trade and connectivity. “Sri Lanka occupies a highly strategic position in the Indian Ocean, along major global shipping routes, while Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s most dynamic export-driven economies and an important gateway to ASEAN and global markets,” he added. He noted that with over 80% of global merchandise trade passing through the Indo-Pacific, stronger economic integration between Sri Lanka and Vietnam could generate not only bilateral benefits but also wider regional value. Highlighting Vietnam’s economic progress, the President said the country has emerged as one of the world’s leading trading economies, supported by macroeconomic stability...
Two Bridges Too Close; From Hanoi to Colombo and Dhanushkodi to ...
The recently concluded visit of the Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, to Sri Lanka is carrying many narratives both in Colombo and other neighbours, as she attempts new friendships. Friendships aligned with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s traditional communist political order. Vietnam is a one-party communist State, governed by the Communist Party of Vietnam, a possible concern for Colombo and its immediate neighbours. The visiting President’s speech to the Sri Lanka Parliament touched extensively on the friendships shared in the early 1970s under a similar left stronghold in Colombo, and a membership in the Non-Aligned Movement, reminding that President Ho Chi Minh visited Sri Lanka three times during his “revolutionary activities.” “The statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Colombo has become a moving symbol of the affection that the Sri Lankan people have for Vietnam. For the Vietnamese people, these are not just the footprints of a leader on his journey to find independence for his nation. They also represent a natural encounter between nations that cherish freedom, peace, humanism, and justice,” he said. He alluded to new political alignments in reference to Vietnam’s readiness to “act as a bridge for Sri Lanka to expand cooperation with ASEAN”, expressing hope that Sri Lanka will continue to be a “bridge for Vietnam to strengthen relations with South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.” He reminded Colombo of the 2025 Joint Statement affirming the importance of peace, stability, security, freedom of navigation, and respect for international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also brought attention to Sri Lanka’s “strategic location in the Indian Ocean, serving as a crucial link in international shipping routes.” Vietnam, a coastal nation in Southeast Asia, is promoting a sustainable maritime economic development strategy. “The two countries can cooperate in logistics, seaports, transportation, maritime trade, marine environmental protection, disaster response, and the development of a blue maritime economy.” “Small and medium-sized nations do not seek strength through confrontation. We seek strength through solidarity, through international law, through self-reliance, through quality governance, through the trust of our people, and through trust among nations,” he added. The President’s references to the maritime ties, the Indian ...
Vietnam, Sri Lanka elevate relations to comprehensive partnership
Vietnam and Sri Lanka agreed on Friday to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership and expand cooperation in areas including defense, trade, science, and technology, with the two countries targeting bilateral trade of US$1 billion.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam strengthen ties
Officials from both countries described the agreements as an important step toward deepening long-term regional ties. In a significant diplomatic development, Vietnam and Sri Lanka also officially upgraded their bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive partnership," according to the Vietnam News Agency.
