Prime Minister Le Minh Hung welcomes Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. (Source: VNA)

At the invitation of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão arrived in Hanoi, commencing his official visit to Vietnam and participating in the third ASEAN Future Forum from June 7-10, 2026.

On the afternoon of June 9, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung presided over the official welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on his official visit to Vietnam.

Attending the ceremony were Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Dang Xuan Phong; Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan; Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son; Deputy Minister of National Defense Nguyen Quang Ngoc; Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung; Deputy Chairman of the Government Office Don Tuan Phong; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan; Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung; and Vietnamese Chargé d'affaires in Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam.

Youth and children of the capital waved flags of both nations to welcome Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and the high-level delegation from Timor-Leste.

The official visit to Vietnam and participation in the ASEAN Future Forum by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is a significant event, particularly for Timor-Leste's integration process as the country has become a member of ASEAN, as well as for the future development of the ASEAN Community.

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung was present on the red carpet to warmly welcome Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, who led the high-level delegation from Timor-Leste on an official visit to Vietnam. Representatives of the capital's youth presented Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão with a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Amidst welcoming music, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão stepped onto the honor podium at the main hall of the Government Headquarters. After listening to the national anthems of both countries, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão proceeded to salute the national flags and review the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People's Army. Subsequently, the two leaders introduced the high-level delegations from both countries attending the ceremony.

Vietnam and Timor-Leste share a long-standing friendship. Vietnam was one of the first countries to recognize the Revolutionary Front for an Independent Timor-Leste (FRETILIN) in September 1975.

Vietnam's decision to establish an embassy in Dili in mid-2025 and its official operation in April 2026 is considered a significant milestone, contributing to deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in a more substantive and effective manner, for the benefit of the people of both nations as well as for the solidarity and development of ASEAN.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão review the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People's Army. (Source: TTXVN)

The leaders of the two countries consistently maintain high-level contacts. Vietnam is ready to continue sharing development experiences, international integration, and closely coordinate with Timor-Leste within the ASEAN family. The two countries also cooperate effectively in multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

Economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has seen positive growth; investment cooperation is also a highlight, with the effective operation of Viettel Timor (Telemor), an investment project by the Vietnam Military Telecommunications Group (Viettel) providing telecommunications services in Timor-Leste.

Additionally, the two countries have potential for cooperation in agriculture, education, and oil and gas sectors.

This visit by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is expected to strengthen political trust, promote cooperation in all areas in a more substantive and effective manner, and help Timor-Leste leverage Vietnam's experience and support to effectively participate in ASEAN and regional cooperation mechanisms.

Moreover, the presence of Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 is not only an opportunity for Timor-Leste to affirm its commitment to ASEAN's common goals but also to enhance its connections with regional partners to promote socio-economic development.

After the welcome ceremony, the two Prime Ministers led the high-level delegations of both countries in discussions to evaluate the cooperation results between the two countries in recent times and propose future cooperation directions, witnessing the signing of cooperation documents between Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

The two Prime Ministers also visited a photo exhibition on the friendship between the two countries, organized by the Government Office in collaboration with the Vietnam News Agency.