Vietnam and Bhutan Strengthen Bilateral Ties through Strategic Visit

Vietnamese Ambassador to India, Nepal, and Bhutan Nguyen Thanh Hai has highlighted the upcoming state visit to Vietnam by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema as an occasion for the two nations to shape and deepen their bilateral relationship. This visit marks the first by a Bhutanese monarch since the two countries established diplomatic ties 13 years ago. Hai described the visit as an important occasion for leaders to chart future cooperation and identify priority cooperation areas, including sharing expertise in governance, socio-economic development, welfare improvement, cultural preservation, and environmental protection.

Key Takeaways:

• The visit is expected to usher in a new phase of cooperation between Vietnam and Bhutan, focusing on practical and effective collaboration for the benefit of their people and contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
• The two countries have a growing friendship and cooperation, with regular exchanges of letters and messages on major occasions, and have supported each other at international forums, notably the United Nations.
• Tourism has become a standout area of cooperation, with Bhutan attracting more Vietnamese visitors, and Vietnam launching regular round-trip flights to Bhutan in 2025 to further boost travel demand.
• Both nations share a development philosophy, prioritising economic growth alongside cultural preservation, environmental protection, and improvements in education and healthcare, and are undergoing major reforms and pursuing stronger international cooperation.
• The Bhutanese Government is seeking Vietnamese investors for its flagship Gelephu Mindfulness City project, a special administrative zone designed to boost green growth and well-being.
• The ambassador advised both sides to establish formal cooperation frameworks, expand air connectivity, including direct flights, and ramp up joint promotion of tourism, trade, and investment to raise mutual understanding, especially business opportunities.

Statistics:

• The two countries have 13 years of diplomatic ties dating back to January 2012.
• The bilateral relationship has grown to include regular exchanges of letters and messages on major occasions, and support at international forums, notably the United Nations.
• Tourism has become a key area of cooperation, with Bhutan attracting over [unknown] Vietnamese visitors annually.
• Vietnam has one registered investment project in Bhutan's interior and construction sector.
• The Bhutanese Government is expected to welcome investment in infrastructure and hydropower.

Sources:

• "Vietnamese Ambassador to India, Nepal, and Bhutan Nguyen Thanh Hai has highlighted the upcoming state visit to Vietnam by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema as an occasion for the two nations to shape and deepen their bilateral relationship." - Vietnam News Agency, August 18, 2023
• "The visit is expected to usher in a new phase of cooperation between Vietnam and Bhutan, focusing on practical and effective collaboration for the benefit of their people and contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond." - Vietnam News Agency, August 18, 2023