Vietnam is Chile’s largest trading partner among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and trade reached nearly two billion dollars last year, Viet Cuong stated in an interview with Prensa Latina.

In the political sphere, President Luong Cuong visited Chile in November 2024, marking the first trip to this nation by a Vietnamese leader in 15 years.

On that occasion, both sides signed cooperation agreements in defense, agriculture, culture, and export promotion.

The diplomat recalled that, as a result, Vietnam’s defense attache office was opened in Chile, and this nation opened an agricultural office in Hanoi last year.

Viet Cuong recalled the visits to his country made by former Presidents Michelle Bachelet and Sebastian Pinera, in addition to the one made by current Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren.

Chile and Vietnam will celebrate next year the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations during the Popular Unity (UP) government of former President Salvador Allende, who maintained a close friendship with President Ho Chi Minh.

jdt/iff/ro/car