Kazakhstan and Vietnam Seal Strategic Partnership

The head of Vietnam’s ruling party, To Lam, arrived in Astana the previous evening on a state visit, Orda.kz reports.

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev personally welcomed the high-ranking guest at the airport. The two leaders held a one-on-one meeting, followed by expanded negotiations, and signed a joint statement. As a result, Kazakhstan will become Vietnam’s first strategic partner in Central Asia.

Accompanying To Lam was his wife, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly. Given the state-level status of the visit, Toqayev met them at the aircraft steps.

I am very glad to see you in the capital of our country. I believe that your visit is of historic nature. What I saw during my visit to your country left an indelible impression on me. I returned with a deep conviction that it is necessary to work with your country in terms of strengthening comprehensive ties in a wide variety of sectors. The potential for cooperation is very large,
Toqayev said. 

To Lam expressed his appreciation for the warm reception.

Your presence at the steps of the plane is a great honor, a very big sign of hospitality for us and for all the Vietnamese people,
he said, as quoted by Aqorda’s press service. 

On May 6, a ceremonial welcome was held at the Aqorda residence. The head of the honor guard delivered a report, and the national anthems of both countries were played.

The Bort No. 1 Telegram channel published photos of Toqayev and To Lam sharing a warm conversation before the official negotiations.

The leaders first held a narrow-format meeting, where Toqayev highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship, calling Vietnam an essential partner in Asia.

To Lam responded:

The talks then continued in an expanded format with both delegations present. Toqayev emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation and noted Kazakhstan’s readiness to support Vietnam, which aims to enter the world’s top 25 economies by 2040.

According to Aqorda, bilateral trade in 2024 reached $860 million, with plans to raise it to $2 billion. Kazakhstanis frequently travel to Vietnam, which has a visa-free regime for citizens of Kazakhstan. Toqayev suggested exploring Kazakhstani destinations that might interest Vietnamese travelers.

Ahead of Kazakhstan’s military parade, Toqayev also acknowledged Lieutenant General Zhansen Kereyev’s contribution to military cooperation between the two countries.

Jansen Kereyev, one of Kazakhstan’s first professional military leaders during the Soviet era, served as a senior military adviser in Vietnam in 1982. On Ho Chi Minh’s initiative, he was awarded Vietnam’s highest military decoration, the Order of the Red Banner.

The Party and people of Vietnam will always be grateful for the support that Kazakhstan has provided to our country in the past — in the struggle for national liberation, and is providing today — in the development process,
noted To Lam. 

The negotiations concluded with a joint statement. The two countries signed agreements on cooperation in technology, culture, sports, justice, geological exploration, and communications.

They also confirmed the finalization of the sale of Qazaq Air JSC shares between Samruq-Qazyna JSC and Sovico Group.

Toqayev presented To Lam with the Order of Dostyq, 1st degree, and gifted him a Kazakh chapan.

Earlier, Orda.kz reported that Kazakhstan and Vietnam agreed to establish the joint airline Vietjet Qazaqstan, which will operate a fleet of 20 Boeing 737 aircraft, developed in partnership with Vietjet Air and Sovico Group.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov