Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang and Oman's Undersecretary for Political Affairs Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Al-Harthy co-chaired the fifth political consultation between the two countries' foreign ministries in Hanoi on November 4.
Hang welcomed the Omani official's visit as the two countries prepare to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations on June 9, 2027. She said Vietnam and Oman are entering a new stage of development.
She noted that Oman is pursuing Oman Vision 2040, while Vietnam is determined to achieve its strategic development goals for 2030 and 2045. She also praised Oman's mediation efforts in the region, which have helped ease tensions and support diplomatic solutions to disputes.
Al-Harthy expressed his affection for Vietnam and its people and praised the country's history and development achievements. He said the two countries share many commonalities that provide a foundation for stronger cooperation.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations since their fourth political consultation in Muscat in September 2025. Two-way trade reached 1.6 billion USD in the first eight months of 2026, more than five times the figure for all of 2025.
The officials reaffirmed their shared commitments to peace, dialogue, respect for international law and friendly relations with all countries. They also noted that their complementary economies offer room for expanded cooperation.
The two sides agreed to use the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 as a milestone for deepening ties, strengthening economic resilience and diversifying partners amid global uncertainty. They also agreed to implement existing agreements and explore new cooperation frameworks in areas of mutual interest.
Both sides described the Vietnam-Oman Investment Fund, or VOI, as a major bilateral cooperation project. It is the first intergovernmental investment fund established between Vietnam and a Gulf country. They agreed to support its effective operation and consider increasing its capital to 1 billion USD.
Al-Harthy stressed the need to sustain the strong trade growth recorded in 2026. He said Oman is ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese companies to the Gulf market, support their investment and exports to Oman, and help them access the wider Middle Eastern market.
Oman also expressed its readiness to support a Vietnam-Gulf Cooperation Council free trade agreement or another mutually acceptable trade framework.
Noting Vietnam's growing appeal as a tourism destination for visitors from Oman and the Middle East, the Omani side proposed expanding people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation and exploring the possibility of direct air links between the two countries.
The Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister identified energy and logistics as main areas of bilateral cooperation. She called on businesses from both countries to strengthen connectivity to ensure stable, long-term energy supplies for Vietnam and explore links between Oman's deep-water ports and Vietnamese ports.
She also called for stronger business ties and Omani investment in Vietnam's technology infrastructure and International Financial Centre. Other proposals included support for Vietnam's halal industry, more scholarships for Vietnamese students and a continued Omani role as a bridge in Vietnam-Gulf Cooperation Council relations, including through the early launch of free trade negotiations.
The two sides agreed to step up delegation exchanges at all levels and work towards opening resident diplomatic missions in each other's capitals at an early date. They also pledged to facilitate cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, the green transition and halal-related industries.
Vietnam and Oman agreed to continue coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, particularly the United Nations. They also discussed links between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as between Vietnam and the council.
The representatives exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
