Vietnam - Panama: Two gateways, two bridges connecting

Speaking at the reception, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that the official visit of the President of the Republic of Panama and his wife to Vietnam is of special significance to the relations between the two countries; he expressed confidence that this visit will not only reopen high-level contacts after a long period, but also create further momentum for Vietnam-Panama relations to enter a new phase of development that is more substantive, effective, and profound.

General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly hosted a reception to welcome President José Raúl Mulino and his wife Maricel Cohen De Mulino on their official visit to Vietnam.

General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that, after more than half a century, the relationship between the two countries has made remarkable progress. Panama is an important traditional partner of Vietnam in Latin America, and is Vietnam's largest trading partner in Central America, with bilateral trade turnover reaching nearly 500 million USD in 2025. Looking back over the past half-century, we can be proud of what Vietnam and Panama have built together.

General Secretary and President To Lam delivered a speech at the reception.

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his hope that Panama would continue to be a bridge bringing Vietnam closer to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Vietnam would become a bridge bringing Panama closer to Southeast Asia. He hoped that mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations would continue to be the foundation for both countries to open up new opportunities, for the benefit of their peoples, and for peace, cooperation, and development in both regions.

In his response at the reception, President of the Republic of Panama José Raúl Mulino shared that the people of Panama will always remember with special gratitude that Vietnam was the first country in the world to sign the Protocol on the permanent neutralization of the Panama Canal. This demonstrates trust and courage in upholding Panama's sovereignty.

President of the Republic of Panama José Raúl Mulino speaks at the reception.

The President of the Republic of Panama emphasized that Vietnam and Panama are two countries that both consider the ocean as a source of livelihood and development opportunity. The connection between the people of the two countries is not only at sea, but also on the highlands, where Panamanians and Vietnamese share a passion for coffee.

Both countries possess geographical locations and economic potential for mutual development. Panama can serve as a gateway for Vietnam to connect with the Latin American and Caribbean region, and Vietnam can serve as a gateway for Panama to access Southeast Asia. The cooperation agreements signed by both sides are clear evidence of the will to make cooperation between Vietnam and Panama increasingly comprehensive and concrete, for the benefit of the people of both countries.

The President of the Republic of Panama believes that the two countries can still explore many other potential areas of cooperation; affirming that the door to Panama is always open to Vietnam; and stating that this visit marks a new beginning, a new commitment, and a bright phase of development in relations between the two countries.