Consulate General of India

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

India – Viet Nam relations

India and Viet Nam share traditionally close and warm bilateral relations that are denominated as comprehensive strategic partnership. Mahatma Gandhi and President Ho Chi Minh, who led people in their struggle for independence in their respective countries, had exchanged messages with each other. India was the Co-Chairman of the International Commission for Supervision and Control formed pursuant to the Geneva Accord of 1954. India initially maintained Consulate-level relations with the then North Viet Nam(Democratic Republic of Viet Nam) and South Viet Nam and later established full diplomatic relations with Viet Nam on 7 January 1972. 

2. India-Viet Nam relations were elevated in 2016 to the level of ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to Vietnam; earlier, the relations were designated as ‘Strategic Partnership’. The development of India-Viet Nam relations are currently guided by a “Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People” adopted by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and the then Prime Minister Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc during the Virtual Summit held on 21 December 2020. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong had telephonic conversation on 15 April 2022. In 2022, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and both countries are working together actively to further strengthen their multi-dimensional cooperation.

I. Political Exchanges 

4. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishakar (EAM) visited Viet Nam from 15-18 October 2023 where EAM and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Mr. Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the 18th India-Viet Nam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Hanoi on 16 October 2023. The two Ministers also released a joint postage stamp on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Viet Nam themed on Kalaripayattu and Vovinam.  EAM also called on Prime Minister Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, held talks with the Chairman of Communist Party of Vietnam’s External Relation Commission Mr. Le Hoai Trung. During 2023, other high-level exchanges included the visits of the Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang to India in June 2023, Minister of Justice Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long to India from 30 June to 3 July 2023, Minister of Public Security of Viet Nam General To Lam to India in April 2023, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe to Viet Nam in August 2023. In 2022, the Speaker of Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Indian Parliament) Mr. Om Birla, Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Mr. Rajnath Singh and Secretary (East) Mr. Saurabh Kumar visited Viet Nam and from Viet Nam side, Foreign Minister Mr. Bui Thanh Son and Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City and Politburo Member Mr. Nguyen Van Nen visited India. Foreign Minister of Viet Nam Mr. Bui Thanh Son attended the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Minister’s Meeting held in New Delhi on 16-17 June 2022 to mark the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.  

5. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Tran Luu Quang attended the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar on 10-11 January 2024 where he addressed the inaugural session, attended lunch hosted by PM Modi, met with Commerce and Industry Minister, and prominent Indian businesses. Vietnam’s then President Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended virtually the Inaugural Leaders Session of the “Voice of Global South Summit” hosted by Prime Minister Modi on 12 January 2023 and Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Mr. Bui Thanh Son addressed the Second Voice of Global South Summit in November 2023. Vietnam's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Le Minh Hoan participated as a special invitee at the G20 Agricultural Minister’s Meeting held in Hyderabad from 15-17 June 2023. Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Mr. Do Hung Viet attended the Raisina Dialogue in India in February 2024 and addressed a panel titled “Desecuritising Development: Resilience in the Indo-Pacific”.

6. Earlier, the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi paid an Official Visit to Viet Namon 2-3 September 2016, the then President of India Mr. Ram Nath Kovind paid a State Visit to Viet Nam from 18-20 November 2018 and the then Vice President of India Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu visited Viet Nam from 09-12 May 2019 to deliver a keynote address at the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak celebration. The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong paid a State Visit to India from 19-22 November 2013, the President of Viet Nam Mr. Tran Dai Quang paid a State Visit to India from 02-04 March 2018, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited New Delhi from 24-26 January 2018 to attend ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit-2018 where he was among the Chief Guests for India’s Republic Day Celebrations, Vice President of Viet Nam Mme. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh paid an official visit to India from 11-13 February 2020. Chairman of National Assembly of Viet Nam Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue paid an official visit to India from 15-19 December 2021. 

II. Institutional mechanisms 

7. The Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation at the Foreign Ministers' level and the Foreign Office Consultations and Strategic Dialogue at Secretary-level provide key frameworks for bilateral review encompassing various areas of mutual interest. The 18th India-Viet Nam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was held on 16 October 2023 in Hanoi.  Earlier, the 17th round of the JCM was held in virtual format on 25 August 2020.  The 12th round of Vice-Minister level Foreign Office Consultations and the 9th Strategic Dialogue were held in Hanoi in May 2022.

8. The 5th meeting of the India-Viet Nam Joint Sub-Commission on Trade at Deputy Minister level was held in New Delhi on 8 August 2023. The 13th Defence Secretary-level Annual Defence Policy Dialogue was held virtually on 12 January 2021.  Among other key institutional dialogues, the 3rd Policy Planning Dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries was held on 08 June 2023 in Hanoi, the 3rd India-Viet Nam Maritime Security Dialogue was held on 31 May 2023 in India and the 3rd India-Viet Nam Joint Committee meeting on Atomic Energy Cooperation was held in Hanoi on 25-26 May 2023. 

9. Parliamentary exchanges are an important element of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the Cooperation Agreement signed between India’s Lok Sabha and Vietnam’s National Assembly in December 2016. The Chairman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Mr. Voung Dinh Hue visited India from 15-19 December 2021 and the return visit of the Speaker of Lok Sabha of India Mr. Om Birla to Viet Nam was from 19-21 April 2022. Vietnam-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, instituted in the National Assembly of Vietnam, is headed by Chairman Mr. Duong Thanh Binh who is also the member of the National Assembly Standing Committee and Chairman of the National Ombudsman Committee.  A 12-member Vietnam-India Parliamentary Friendship Group (VIPFG) led by its Chairman Mr. Duong Thanh Binh visited India from 18-23 December 2023 where the delegation called on Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla; and also held talks with Departmental Related Standing Committees on External Affairs and on Personnel, Public Grievance, Law and Justice.

III. Trade, Economic and Development Cooperation 

10. India and Viet Nam have active trade and economic relations. Apart from Joint Trade Sub-Commission, the Joint Working Group on agriculture, on health, on information technology, etc. engage on trade and economic relations in respective sectors. In the year April 2023-March 2024, India-Viet Nam trade stood at USD 14.82 billion where India’s export to Viet Nam amounted to USD 5.47 billion and Vietnam’s exports to India were USD 9.35 billion. As per Vietnam’s data, the bilateral trade for the year 2023 stood at USD 14.36 billion, out of which India’s exports to Viet Nam were valued at USD 5.86 billion and India’s imports were USD 8.5 billion.  

11. Main Indian exports to Viet Nam include engineering goods, agricultural products (including meat and fishery products), chemicals and pharmaceuticals, electronic goods, minerals, cotton and textiles, plastics etc. India’s imports from Viet Nam mainly comprised of computer and electronic goods, mobile phones & accessories, machinery & equipment, steel & other metals, chemicals, footwear, garments, rubber, wooden products, etc. ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement conclude in 2009 provides preferential trade regime between India and Viet Nam and that Agreement is currently under review. 

12. Regular exchange of business delegations, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions and business meets also support trade and business ties between the two countries. In April 2024, Indian businesses participated in the 33rd Viet Nam International Trade Fair, VIET NAM Expo hosted by the Ministry of Industry & Trade of Viet Nam where India was the ‘Guest of Honour’ country with participation coordinated by the Indian Trade Promotion Organization. Numerous business delegations coordinated by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Indian Electrical and Electronics manufacturers Association, Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, PHD Chambers, etc. visited Viet Nam in 2023 & 2024. Indian Business Chambers (INCHAM) in Viet Nam provides a platform for cooperation among Indian businesses through its presence in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

13.  India’s investments in Viet Nam are estimated at around USD 2 billion including investments routed through third countries. According to Vietnam’s Foreign Investment Agency, India has 378 projects with total invested capital of over USD 1.1 billion in Vietnam. Major sectors of Indian investments are energy, mineral processing, agro-processing (coffee, tea, sugar), Information Technology, auto components, pharmaceuticals, hospitality and infrastructure. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade of India, as of 2022, Viet Nam has invested about USD 28.55 million in sectors like consumer goods, electronic, constructions, IT, pharmaceuticals, etc. 

IV Development Partnership 

14. India has long-standing development cooperation with Viet Nam that has made positive contributions over several decades towards training, capacity building, socioeconomic development and industrial growth. Currently, about 150 Vietnamese nationals attend sponsored training and educational courses in India annually and institutional cooperation is extended in areas such as information technology, heritage conservation, etc. Viet Namis also a partner country within the ASEAN framework and Mekong Ganga Cooperation mechanism, particularly Quik Impact Projects for local communities.

15. Under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation framework, India has been undertaking Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in different provinces of Viet Nam to develop community facilities at the grassroot level. Since 2017, about 45 QIPs have been completed in over 35 provinces of Viet Nam and another 10 projects are at an implementation stage in various provinces.

16. India has supported conservation and restoration of the UNESCO world heritage site of ‘My Son’ in Quang Nam Province of Central Vietnam, which represents historical links between the two countries. The completion of conservation and restoration of A, H and K group of temples by the Archaeological Survey of India was marked on 20 December 2022 at the My Son complex site in Quang Nam province. Further cooperation on conservation projects in Viet Nam are under consideration of the two countries.

V.      Defence Cooperation

17. Defence and security cooperation between India and Viet Nam are important sectors of cooperation and exchanges between the two countries. A Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed between the Ministries of Defence in 2009 and the Joint Vision on Defence Cooperation signed by the Defence Ministers in 2015 provide the broad framework. During the visit of India’s Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh to Viet Nam in June 2022, the two sides concluded a new "Joint Vision Statement on India-Viet Nam Defence Partnership towards 2030” and signed a “Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Logistics Support”. During the visit of the Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam General Phan Van Giang to India on 18-19 June 2023, the two sides announced gifting of an indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam. On 16 November 2023, the two Defence Ministers met in Jakarta on the margins of the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus.

18. Bilateral military-to-military staff talks, defence exercises, training, ship and aircraft visits and other exchanges are active areas of defence cooperation. Indian Chief of Navy Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar, during his official visit to Viet Nam from 22-25 July 2023 handed over an indigenously-built in-service Missile Corvette INS KIRPAN to Viet Nam Peoples’ Navy in July 2023. A 50-member Indian defence contingent participated in the fourth edition of  the VINBAX – 2023 military exercises in Viet Nam from 10-21 December 2023 on UN peacekeeping scenario. Vietnam’s navy ship participated in international maritime exercise MILAN in India in February 2024. 

19. The Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam engages with the National Security Council Secretariat and other institutions in India in the domain of security. A bilateral Deputy Minister level Security Dialogue reviews security-related trends, counter-terrorism, transnational crimes and related matters. The two countries also cooperate in the field of security in terms of training, exchange of experiences, best practices, etc.

VI. Cultural, Academic, and Provincial Level Exchanges 

20. The two countries continue to maintain regular exchanges at provincial levels. Notable visits in the last year were that of delegation of delegations of the Communist Party of Viet Nam(CPV), led by member of the CPV Central Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Vinh Long province Bui Van Nghiem (11-18 November 2023); Lao Cai province led by Provincial Party Secretary Mr. Dang Xuan Phong (25-30 July 2023); Gia Lai province led by Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Duong Mah Tiep to (26-27 June 2023). The Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh visited Viet Nam from 27-29 October 2023 during which he inaugurated the Northeast India Festival in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and addressed business meeting in HCMC. He also met with Vice Chair of HCMC People’s Committee Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong and Vice Chair of Ninh Thuan provincial People’s Committee Mr. Nguyen Long Bien. Other visits from India in 2023 include that of delegation of Andhra Pradesh Minister of Finance, Planning, Commercial Taxes Skills Development & Training and Legislative Affairs (21-23 July 2023) as well as that of Odisha Tourism for road show in Hanoi on 28 July 2023.

21. Cooperation between thinktanks, educational institutions and youth contribute to advancing people level exchanges.  The Indian Council of World Affairs have signed an MoU with Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences in September 2016 and with Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam under MOFA in June 2023. India Foundation and Centre for Indian Studies in Ho Chi National Academy of Politics signed an MoU in January 2024; and National Maritime Foundation signed an MoU with Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam in February 2024. Government of India in collaboration with Centre for Indian Studies of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMNAP) organized a conference titled “Vietnam–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Confluences and Opportunities” in Hanoi on 22 December 2023, with participation of numerous Indian speakers, over 200 scholars & specialists, Dy Foreign Minister H.E. Do Hung Viet, former Foreign Minister H.E. Nguyen Dy Nien and Vice Presidents of HCMNAP. In 2023, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry’s young diplomats attended the 3rd Disarmament & International security Affairs (DISA) Fellowship Programme from 9-27 January 2023 in New Delhi). Vietnamese delegate attended the 4th ASEAN-India Youth Summit and ASEAN-India Media Exchange concurrently held in Hyderabad from 11-15 February 2023; a diplomat attended the MEA flagship Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) from 13-31 March 2023 in New Delhi; and Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam official attended the Asian Security Conference organized by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses from 28-29 March 2023 in New Delhi. The Viet Nam Institute for Indian and South-West Asian Studies (VIISAS) under the Viet Nam Academy of Social Science and the Centre for Indian Studies at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics are among the key centres in Viet Nam focused on Indian studies and academic cooperation with Indian institutions.

22. Buddhist links between the two countries represent civilizational connections dating back millennia. Numerous Buddhist scholars and pilgrims travel to India regularly, including Vietnamese Buddhist pagoda in Bodhgaya. In April 2023, the Sanghraja of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang attended Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi and was felicitated by the Prime Minister of India. Standing Vice President of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha Most Venerable Thich Thành Nhieu and Most Venerable Thich Nhat Tu, Vice Rector of Viet Nam Buddhist University addressed the General Assembly of the International Buddhist Confederation held in New Delhi from 27-28 November 2023. 

23. Yoga is immensely popular across Viet Nam that is reflected in hundreds of yoga clubs or other facilities and numerous Indian yoga teachers offering their services in Vietnam. Annual events marking the International Day of Yoga are held in more than 35 provinces throughout the country.

24. Following the decline of Covid-19 pandemic and enhancement of direct flights between the two countries from 2022, two-way tourism and people-to-people exchanges have seen a surge. Direct flights by Indigo, Viet Nam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Air India connect five cities in India. (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi) and Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. A simplified e-visa regime in both direction supports travel and tourism for leisure, business and cultural purposes. It is estimated that 392,000 Indians travelled to Viet Nam in 2023 and tens of thousands of Vietnamese visited India last year.

25. The Swami Vivekananda Indian Cultural Centre (SVCC) which was established in Hanoi in September 2016, promotes further understanding of India and fosters closer links between the people of the two countries. The Centre organizes cultural programmes, seminars, photo exhibitions, film screenings, lectures, workshops in varied areas such as Yoga, Indian classical dance, art and philosophy, languages, traditional medicine etc.  SVCC also engages with universities, academia, art institutes and friendship organizations of Vietnam.

VII. Indian Community in Vietnam

26. The Indian community in Viet Nam numbers around 8500. Majority of them are based in and around Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) with a couple of thousand living in and around Hanoi. Most of the community members are professionals employed in businesses, sectors such as IT, hotels/restaurants, mining, yoga institutions, civil aviation, schools and investments and trading in wide-ranging goods.  Indian businesses such as ONGC Videsh Limited, Bank of India, Bharat Electronics Limited, HCL Technologies and a few others have offices in Vietnam. 

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Compilation of high-level visits between India and Viet Nam