Ahead of the visit on May 7, he said the trip highlights Vietnam’s growing focus on Sri Lanka and the wider South Asian region, and will be the highest-level engagement between the two countries since diplomatic ties were established in 1970.
Describing Sri Lanka as a longstanding partner, he noted the shared history of mutual support between the two nations, adding that the visit is expected to further strengthen ties at both leadership and people-to-people levels.
The visit also reflects Vietnam’s support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing recovery and development efforts following recent challenges.
In addition to its symbolic importance, the visit is expected to drive deeper cooperation in key sectors. Sri Lanka’s strategic position along major Indian Ocean shipping routes and its market potential are seen as key opportunities to expand trade, investment, and supply chain links.
Both countries are looking to enhance collaboration in areas such as maritime affairs, security, port connectivity, culture, tourism, religion, and people-to-people exchanges.
Existing cooperation frameworks include a Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, political consultations at deputy minister level, and a joint trade committee. During the 2025 visit by Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Vietnam, agreements were reached in sectors including agriculture and education.
While bilateral trade currently exceeds US$200 million, both sides see strong potential for growth, particularly as Sri Lanka stabilises economically and becomes more attractive for investment.
The visit is also expected to set higher targets for trade and investment and open the door for major Vietnamese projects in Sri Lanka.
Cooperation in culture and tourism, especially spiritual tourism, is also expanding, with discussions underway on introducing direct air links to improve connectivity.
Meanwhile, Cabinet approval has been granted to sign five Memoranda of Understanding during the visit. These will cover cooperation in information and communication technology, cultural exchange, religious affairs, science and technology, police training, and scientific research.
Overall, the visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and move relations toward a more dynamic, development-focused partnership, while also reflecting Vietnam’s broader engagement with South Asia and its commitment to regional stability and growth.
