President of Sri Lanka begins state visit to Vietnam
The trip is the first to Vietnam by a Sri Lankan head of state in 16 years, since 2009, and it is also the first visit to the Southeast Asian nation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka since he took office in September 2024.
President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayaka (second from left) is welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on May 4 morning. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayaka arrived in Hanoi on May 4 morning, beginning a state visit to Vietnam and participation in the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations (Vesak 2025) from May 4 to 6 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong.
Officials welcoming the Sri Lankan President and delegation at Noi Bai International Airport included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nong Thi Ha, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam, and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vietnam Perera Wewala Appuhamillage Udam Poshitha.
Establishing diplomatic ties on July 21, 1970, the two countries boast traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation. Political parties in Sri Lanka attach importance to relations with Vietnam and regards the latter as a model of economic development. Sri Lanka has recognised Vietnam’s full market economy status.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam stated that the trip is the first to Vietnam by a Sri Lankan head of state in 16 years, since 2009. It is also the first visit to the Southeast Asian nation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka since he took office in September 2024.
From Vietnam's perspective, the visit reaffirms the respect for Sri Lanka as a traditional friend and important partner in South Asia, Tam explained, stressing as the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, this is a good chance for them to reflect on the partnership and establish new directions for the relations in the new situation.
The trip will feature various activities, covering the pillars of politics, economy and culture, with the highlight being high-level talks and meetings as well as the signing of important cooperation documents.
The ambassador expressed her belief that the visit will mark the start of a new phase of bilateral cooperation that is more intensive and extensive, benefiting both countries and cღontributing to peace, cooperation, development, and prosperity in the region and the world./.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to Vietnam from May 4-6 reaffirms Vietnam's respect for Sri Lanka as a traditional friend and important partner in South Asia.
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Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
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Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
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The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
