The signing of the Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during the state visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, to Baku marks a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations. This visit is of historic significance—not only as the first visit by a Vietnamese leader to Azerbaijan, but also as a precedent-setting step toward establishing such a high-level partnership between Azerbaijan and a Southeast Asian country.
The roots of Azerbaijani-Vietnamese relations date back to the second half of the 20th century. A pivotal moment in the development of these ties was the visit of the founder of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, to Baku in 1959. During that visit, an agreement was reached to send Vietnamese youth to study at higher educational institutions in the Azerbaijan SSR. This initiative laid the foundation for long-term humanitarian and educational cooperation, the results of which are still evident today: dozens of graduates from Azerbaijani universities hold responsible positions in Vietnam and continue to maintain professional and cultural ties with Azerbaijan.
Contemporary bilateral relations gained momentum thanks to the efforts of Azerbaijan’s National Leader, Heydar Aliyev. His official visit to Vietnam in 1983, in his capacity as a member of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee and First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, became a significant milestone that initiated trusted channels of communication between the leaderships of the two countries. In the post-Soviet period, these ties evolved into a foundation for a mutually beneficial political dialogue, which has been reflected in stable cooperation on the international stage.
Notably, following the official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Vietnam in 2014, the dynamics of political contacts between the two countries increased significantly. This was followed by visits from the President of Vietnam to Baku in 2015 and the Vice President in 2019, underscoring the mutual interest in institutionalizing political cooperation.
Alongside the development of political relations, mutual support has grown within multilateral international platforms. For example, Vietnam supported Azerbaijan during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, and in 2020, during the Second Karabakh War, Hanoi opposed efforts to pass a biased resolution in the UN Security Council that would have restricted Azerbaijan’s sovereign right to restore its territorial integrity. This solidarity reflects the political closeness and convergence of core principles in international affairs.
It is symbolic that the current stage of bilateral cooperation is built not only on historic friendship but also on strategic interests shaped by a transforming global political order. Both Baku and Hanoi base their foreign policy strategies on the principles of non-interference, balance of interests, and sovereignty. The two countries show a shared commitment to promoting regional stability and act in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.
During To Lam’s visit to Azerbaijan, 11 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, covering a broad range of sectors—from energy and agriculture to high technology and the defense industry. An important step will be the upcoming session of the intergovernmental commission, tasked with formulating a concrete “roadmap” for economic cooperation in the medium and long term.
Particular attention is being paid to cooperation in the defense industry, which holds promise given the growing defense sectors in both countries. The sides are exploring opportunities for technology exchange, joint development projects, and expansion of export potential—initiatives that could enhance the defense capabilities of both nations in the long run.
In economic terms, the energy sector is of special significance. Given the challenges Vietnam faces in developing offshore oil fields, the initiative to involve the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) in joint energy projects becomes particularly relevant. Such collaboration could not only strengthen Vietnam’s energy security but also expand Azerbaijan’s export reach in the Asia-Pacific region.
The economic growth demonstrated by both countries positions them as key development drivers within their respective geographic areas. In this context, technological convergence, mutual exchange of expertise, and the formation of production cooperatives become logical pathways for deepening bilateral ties.
In conclusion, the accumulated potential for cooperation in humanitarian and politico-economic spheres creates favorable conditions for the further deepening of the strategic partnership. Given the historical background, political will, and economic interests of both parties, one can expect a steady expansion of Azerbaijani-Vietnamese engagement that will enhance the resilience not only of bilateral relations but also of broader interregional cooperation frameworks.
