During a meeting with the King of Bhutan at the Presidential Palace today, President Luong Cuong affirmed that the first visit by a Bhutanese head of state to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations is of special significance. It opens a new chapter in bilateral relations and coincides with Vietnam's 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (2/9), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The President praised Bhutan's unique development model, which uses the Gross National Happiness Index as a measure, emphasizing people, nature, culture, and happiness in a balanced and harmonious way. It places people at the center of development, values cultural identity, and preserves the living environment.
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President Luong Cuong and the King of Bhutan before the meeting on 19/8. Photo: Giang Huy |
President Luong Cuong and the King of Bhutan before the meeting on 19/8. Photo: Giang Huy
The King of Bhutan said the Bhutanese people respect President Ho Chi Minh and admire Vietnam's achievements over 80 years of struggling for national independence and development.
The King expressed his desire to study and learn from Vietnam's national governance model and economic development experience. He affirmed that Bhutan values Vietnam's role and position in the Asia-Pacific region and wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in areas where both sides have strengths and potential, for the benefit of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world.
The two leaders agreed to continuously strengthen the friendly relationship and mutual understanding, promote more frequent high-level and other visits, and encourage the signing of cooperation agreements to create a favorable framework for implementing specific projects and activities.
President Luong Cuong and the King of Bhutan encouraged agencies, ministries, and businesses of the two countries to promote cooperation and facilitate market access for each other's key goods, aiming to diversify supply chains and strive to increase trade several times over in the coming period.
The two sides agreed to further expand cooperation in important areas and encourage airlines to soon consider opening direct flights to promote cultural, religious, and tourism exchanges and people-to-people connections. They also agreed to share experiences in honoring each country's traditional cultural heritage and expand cooperation in new areas towards sustainable development.
The two countries share many similar views at international forums, especially on sustainable development, climate change response, nature conservation, and peacekeeping. They emphasized their continued coordination and mutual support at international and regional organizations, especially at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and on issues of common concern.
President Luong Cuong welcomed Bhutan's expansion of relations and substantive cooperation and expressed Vietnam's willingness to create conditions to strengthen Bhutan's connections with Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN.
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President Luong Cuong and the King of Bhutan during their meeting on 19/8. Photo: Giang Huy |
President Luong Cuong and the King of Bhutan during their meeting on 19/8. Photo: Giang Huy
Following the talks, President Luong Cuong and the King of Bhutan witnessed the signing of two cooperation documents: a framework cooperation document between the two governments and a document on cooperation in the aviation sector.
The King and Queen of Bhutan are on a state visit to Vietnam from 18-22/8 at the invitation of President Luong Cuong and his wife.
Vietnam and Bhutan enjoy a good and friendly relationship. High-ranking leaders of the two countries often exchange messages on special occasions. Bilateral trade is approximately 20,000 USD per year. The two countries have potential for tourism, especially Buddhist and spiritual tourism.
Regarding cultural and tourism exchange, more and more Vietnamese tourists are interested in Bhutan, a prominent destination known as the "Land of Happiness," with its pristine nature and meditation experiences.
The two countries are also working towards cooperation in religious fields, especially Buddhism, as well as in education and human resource exchange. The Vietnamese community in Bhutan is small, about 10 people, including three women married to Bhutanese men.
Huyen Le
