László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly. (Photo: VNA)

Taking place as relations between the two countries are flourishing, the visit demonstrates the mutual respect and strong determination of the leaders and peoples of Viet Nam and Hungary to further deepen their comprehensive partnership.

Despite geographical distance, Viet Nam and Hungary have always maintained a close and enduring bond — one that was established during Viet Nam’s arduous struggle for national liberation and has continued throughout the nation’s reconstruction and development. Hungary was among the first ten countries in the world to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in 1950 — a time of immense hardship during the Vietnamese people’s struggle for independence — while also extending valuable support and assistance to the country. Beyond material assistance, Hungary’s support embodied a spirit of solidarity and a profound sharing of common values of peace, independence, and freedom.

Over the past 75 years of close ties, relations between Viet Nam and Hungary have continued to grow in an increasingly profound and comprehensive manner, marked by frequent exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level visits. In 2017, the Communist Party of Viet Nam signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Hungary’s FIDESZ Party, establishing official relations between the two ruling parties. The two countries elevated their relationship in 2018, making Hungary Viet Nam’s first comprehensive partner in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Party and State of Viet Nam have consistently attached great importance to relations with Hungary, regarding it as a top priority partner within Viet Nam’s overall foreign policy towards the Central and Eastern European region. Meanwhile, Hungarian leaders have repeatedly affirmed that Viet Nam is their priority partner in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian regions.

In the parliamentary sphere, the national assemblies of both countries have actively promoted delegation exchanges at various levels and strengthened bilateral engagement. Within multilateral frameworks, the two sides have maintained regular contact, consultations, and close, effective cooperation at international parliamentary forums, jointly contributing numerous initiatives to regional and global parliamentary organisations.

The solidarity, political trust, and mutual understanding between the two nations have created a solid foundation for cooperation across many areas, with economic ties emerging as a key highlight. Hungary is one of Viet Nam’s major trading partners in Central and Eastern Europe, while Viet Nam represents a promising market for Hungary in Asia.

Bilateral trade turnover has been rising steadily each year, reaching over 900 million USD in 2024, up 7.3% from 2023. Hungary was also among the first EU member states to ratify the EU–Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and is the largest provider of concessional credit to Viet Nam in Central and Eastern Europe, with 440 million EUR supporting projects in clean water supply and digital population management.

To date, Hungary has 21 valid foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Viet Nam with total registered capital of 50.66 million USD, ranking 52nd among the countries and territories investing in the country.

In addition, cooperation between the two countries in areas such as education and training, environment, culture, tourism, defence and security, and people-to-people exchanges has yielded many positive results. The Vietnamese community in Hungary, numbering around 6,000 people, has integrated well into local society, remains united and oriented towards their homeland, and is highly regarded by the Hungarian authorities. They serve as “people’s ambassadors”, steadfastly nurturing the friendship and close bond between the two nations.

The visit of Speaker of the Hungarian NA László Kövér aims to continue implementing the outcomes achieved by the two countries’ senior leaders. It seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation in traditional areas such as politics, diplomacy, economy, security and defence, and education, while expanding collaboration into promising new fields including renewable energy, labour, green transition, and information technology. In addition, the visit provides an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their cooperation through the parliamentary channel.

Building on a 75-year foundation of time-tested friendship, with vast potential and promising prospects, along with the joint determination and efforts of both nations, this visit will make a significant contribution to strengthening the Viet Nam–Hungary Comprehensive Partnership, for the benefit of the two peoples and for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.