‘Vietnam’s prestige has increased internationally’

Vietnamese ambassador to Qatar Tran Duc Hung has expressed his happiness over the 77th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day of his country, felicitating his compatriots in Qatar. Sanguine about Vietnam’s overall recent progress, he also highlighted the enhanced level of bilateral relations with Qatar. Excerpt from an interview with Gulf Times: What is the importance of the celebration of Independence Day for the people of Vietnam? What is your message on this occasion?Today, on 2nd September, Vietnam celebrates its 77th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Seventy-seven years ago, at Ba Dinh Square in the capital city of Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence to proclaim to the world our freedom from colonialism.It has been a significant event that opens a new chapter in Vietnamese history. On this occasion, I would like to extend my heartiest felicitations to all my fellow Vietnamese nationals living in Qatar. Also, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the government and the people of Qatar for their support to the Vietnamese community as well as Vietnam embassy in Qatar.What have been Vietnam’s achievements in recent years?Over a period of 77 years, Vietnam has risen from a war-torn and underdeveloped country to a low middle-income one. Vietnam has made significant achievements in different fields. To be more specific, Vietnam has succeeded in maintaining a peaceful environment that has spurred economic growth as well as improve the material and spiritual life of citizens. Also, Vietnam’s prestige has increased in the international arena while having an active role to play in multilateral institutions. For the past seven months alone, Vietnamese economy has made a rapid recovery in most sectors. Manufacturing and business activities have been fully restored as it used to be before the Covid-19 pandemic. The trade volume is estimated to be $431.94bn, an year-on-year increase of 14.8%. Notable, about 30 exported items are worth for more than $1bn and five others valued at $10bn. Inflation, which is being controlled, increased by 1.44% compared to last year. FDI inflows to Vietnam has reached approximately $11.57bn, the highest over the past five years. Foreign investors have mainly focused on manufacturing and processing industries and real estate. The number of international tourists to Vietnam is roughly 954,000, which is 10 times as high as in the same period of last year.What is your assessment of Vietnam-Qatar relations in various fields?Vietnam and Qatar have enjoyed excellent relations based on mutual interests since its establishment in 1993. Under the guidance of the leaders of both sides, these relations have developed over time. The exchange of visits at various levels of leadership have cemented bilateral relations in the political, economic and social-cultural fields. To illustrate the point, in the first half of this year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani visited Vietnam in mid-August while Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Quang Hieu attended the bilateral political dialogue in Qatar in early July. In this regard, Vietnam and Qatar also committed to support each other in multilateral institutions and international and regional organisations such as Asean and GCC. The two sides have signed on an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official and other special passports. In the economic field, the two-way trade volume is worth more than $400mn. Both Vietnam and Qatar agreed to create even more favourable conditions for the promotion of trade and investment by negotiating the bilateral free trade agreement. For instance, the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) of Vietnam and Qatar Investment Agency (QIA) agreed to improve the effectiveness of co-operation. The two sides also expect to enhance co-operation in the fields such as infrastructure, energy industry, renewable energy, green technology, digital transformation, food security. Vietnam and Qatar will also co-operate in semi-skilled and skilled human resource recruitment. To date, despite a limited number of Vietnamese workforce, their presence has made contributions in important sectors in Qatar such as energy and construction.Where do you see Vietnam-Qatar relations in the years to come?The years 2022 and 2023 will be exciting for Vietnam and Qatar as the latter will be hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the next year, both countries will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations. Following recent exchange of visits from various levels of leadership, they will celebrate the milestone. The two sides agreed to enhance the exchange of visits, especially in terms of organising sport and cultural events. In the coming months, a number of Vietnamese spectators are expected to arrive in Qatar to watch the showpiece event, while Vietnam is looking forward to receiving a number of tourists from Qatar in the years to come. Qatar Airways is operating well with regular flights from Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh to Doha. In addition, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is expected to pay a state visit to Vietnam next year, which I believe, will make a breakthrough in the multi-faceted co-operation between Vietnam and Qatar.