By Manal El Warraky
Vietnamese Ambassador to Cairo, Ambassador Nguyen Huy Thuong, emphasized the distinguished relations between Vietnam and Egypt, noting that the Vietnamese people appreciate Egypt’s efforts, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in supporting peace and stability in the Middle East and ending tensions in this part of the world.
He noted that the Vietnamese people appreciate Egypt’s efforts, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in supporting peace and stability in the Middle East and ending tensions in this part of the world. He noted that Egypt, under the leadership of President Sisi, is advancing on the path of progress, modernization, and constructive cooperation with the world.
In an interview with Egyptian Radio, the Vietnamese ambassador said that the two countries have had distinguished relations since 1963, and that Egypt has provided full support to Vietnam to date.
He added, “The Vietnamese are the people most aware in the world of the necessity of peace for development. After decades of conflict, bloodshed, and war with the United States until the mid-1970s, Vietnam and the United States are today moving together toward a strategic partnership.” He continued, “Yesterday’s conflict with the United States has become today a partnership and cooperation. History does not change, but the future can be brighter with cooperation and peace.”
Ambassador Nguyen Huy Thuong emphasized that Vietnam appreciates Egypt’s success in improving infrastructure and is working to share the Egyptian experience in development.
He added that Vietnam intends to follow Egypt’s example in this area, which encourages investment and supports tourism, noting that the number of Vietnamese tourists to Egypt has increased for this reason.
The Vietnamese ambassador to Egypt also said that his country began its path of progress in 1986 when it adopted a policy of economic reform, nearly ten years after the end of the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese shook off the dust and moved toward developing their country, transforming it from a country on the brink of famine due to a rice shortage to the world’s second-largest rice exporter, the second-largest coffee exporter, and the first in cashew nuts.
In the field of industry, the Vietnamese ambassador said that his country has entered the electronics and electrical industries, as well as clothing and sports shoes.
He added that the country has also witnessed a scientific and educational renaissance, and illiteracy has become virtually nonexistent. It exceeds 1%, and now includes 275 universities, including numerous branches of French, German, American, and British universities. For these reasons, the partnership with the United States was upgraded to a “strategic partnership,” after decades of war between the two countries, historically described as the longest war in the world.
The Vietnamese ambassador continued, “My country has become an important tourist destination, thanks to its forests, beaches, archaeological sites, and cities with a unique character, such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Vietnamese cuisine is also “very distinctive.”
Ambassador Thuong expressed his country’s aspiration to increase cooperation with Egypt in the economic, tourism, and scientific fields, especially given the closeness, friendship, and affection between President Sisi and the Vietnamese leadership. Vietnam continues to appreciate Egypt’s role during the years of struggle, and the visits of liberation hero Ho Chi Minh to Egypt in 1911 and 1946, while on his way to negotiations to consolidate the foundations of the state.
He said he was proud to work in Egypt. This hospitable, ancient country, and he enjoys his time there, saying, “Whoever drinks from the Nile’s water, it will return to them.” He noted that he came to Egypt in 2009 for a short working visit and has now returned as ambassador. It’s worth noting that Ambassador Thong is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Egypt, a graduate of the Institute of Foreign Relations in Hanoi, and holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from Delhi. He previously served in his country’s missions in Australia and Washington as Deputy Ambassador.
