Mexico City (VNA) – Major Mexican newspapers on May 18 (local time) ran features celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Mexico as well as the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 – 2025).

Regeneración – the official outlet of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party – published an article titled “Mexico and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, coinciding with the 135th birth anniversary of national hero Ho Chi Minh." The article noted that less than three weeks after Vietnam’s historic victory on April 30, 1975, the two countries established diplomatic relations, which have since evolved into strong partners of each other in the regions.

Author Pedro Gellert highlighted the symbolic significance of May 19 as both the date diplomatic ties were formed and the birthday of Ho Chi Minh, who led Vietnam through momentous struggles for independence. The article emphasised that his legacy secured national sovereignty and laid the groundwork for Vietnam’s ongoing development and remains significant today.

Gellert noted that in Mexico and across Latin America, Ho Chi Minh is deeply respected by people from all backgrounds. He recalled former Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas’s words in 1969, calling Ho Chi Minh and Mahatma Gandhi two of history’s greatest revolutionaries and role models of integrity, humility, and dedication to national liberation.

Mexico is one of the countries having the most statues of Ho Chi Minh, with three monuments in Mexico City, Acapulco (Guerrero), and Guadalajara (Jalisco).

On bilateral relations, Gellert, a senior advisor to Morena, affirmed that Vietnam–Mexico ties are founded on mutual trust, lasting friendship, and diverse cooperation. In recent years, the relationship has advanced significantly in diplomacy, trade, culture, education, defence, and tourism. Both nations are CPTPP members, and trade reached 15 billion USD in 2024, up 27.5% from 2023.

Meanwhile, Voces Del Periodista, representing 45,000 journalists across Mexico, published an interview with Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai. The conversation highlighted Vietnam and Mexico’s emergence as key partners in Southeast Asia and North America, as well as future cooperation prospects.

Hai said the bilateral relations have grown more comprehensive and effective over the past 50 years, reflecting strong ties between the two nations' people and vast potential ahead. He emphasised the importance of leveraging existing strengths, maximising opportunities brought by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and improving outreach to help businesses identify partners in each other’s markets.

The ambassador also proposed enhancing mechanisms like the Joint Committee for Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation to resolve issues and expand collaboration in high-value agriculture, advanced manufacturing, innovation, digital transformation, and green growth.

🔜 He suggested both countries focus on sustainable development, climate cooperation, technology transfer, and high-quality workforce training – sectors that can take the partnership to new heights./.