King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan began his official visit to Vietnam on November 12 at the invitation of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, marking the first visit by a Jordanian head of state to the Southeast Asian nation.

King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan visits Vietnam on November 12-13. Photos: VOV

This landmark visit, the first by a Middle Eastern head of state to Vietnam in nine years, signals a new phase in bilateral cooperation and underscores growing ties between the two countries.

King Abdullah II is visiting Vietnam from November 12–13, accompanied by a high-level delegation including Prince Ghazi bin Mohammad, Chief Adviser for Religious and Cultural Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Hussein Abdullah Safadi and other senior officials from Jordan’s Royal Court and government ministries.

The visit comes as the two nations celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations (August 9, 1980 – 2025). Over the decades, Vietnam and Jordan have built strong political trust and expanded cooperation in areas such as trade, education and energy.

On the afternoon of November 12, President Luong Cuong hosted an official welcome ceremony for King Abdullah II at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, followed by high-level talks between the two delegations.

During the meeting, the leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and discussed future directions to elevate relations to new heights.

Expanding cooperation in trade, energy, and technology

The visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of Vietnam–Jordan diplomatic relations (August 9). Since the establishment of ties, the two countries have strengthened political trust and expanded cooperation in multiple areas.

In June 2025, during their meeting at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its multifaceted cooperation with Jordan.

For his part, King Abdullah II expressed admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and its dynamic development.

The two sides agreed to increase exchanges at all levels, particularly at the high level, to enhance political trust. They will also consider negotiating and signing cooperation agreements on trade, investment and other potential sectors.

Bilateral trade reached nearly US$190 million in 2024. Both countries aim to raise two-way trade to US$500 million by 2030 and US$1 billion by 2035.

Vietnam and Jordan are working to strengthen food security cooperation and promote collaboration in the Halal industry, including training, production, processing, packaging, distribution and mutual recognition of Halal certification.

The two nations are also enhancing cooperation in education, training and human resources development in information technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and green energy.

They coordinate closely and support each other at regional and international forums.

On the basis of 45 years of relations, King Abdullah II’s visit to Vietnam is expected to mark a historic milestone and open a new chapter of cooperation.

The visit, at the invitation of Vietnam's President Luong Cuong, celebrates the 45 years of diplomatic relations. 

This is the first visit to Vietnam by a Jordanian head of state and the first top-level exchange between the two nations since 1980.

The two leaders inspect the Guard of Honor.

The two leaders at the Presidential Palace, Hanoi.

The meeting of the two delegations.