December 2009

Vietnam established relations with Myanmar as soon as it opened the representative office in Yangon in 1947. The two countries upgraded their bilateral ties to the ambassadorial level on May 28, 1975.

Over the past years, the Viet Nam-Myanmar traditional relations of friendship and multi-faceted cooperation have been positively consolidated and developed. The two countries have also actively exchanged delegations at all levels. Vietnam’s State and Government visits to Myanmar are those paid by Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet (May 1994), Secretary General Do Muoi (May 1997), Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (May 2000), President Tran Duc Luong (May 2002), Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (August 2007). Myanmar’s State and Government visits to Vietnam are those paid by President Than Shwe (March 1995, March 2003), Prime Minister Khin Nhunt (August 2004), Prime Minister Soe Win (April 2005), Prime Minister Thein Sein (November 2007). The two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on May 28, 2005. Since then, the two countries have conducted annual political consultations between their two Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnam supports Myanmar’s regional and international integration. Myanmar was admitted to ASEAN and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Vietnam.

Bilateral economic and trade ties continue to grow, but not yet reach high level. Two-way trade reached US$108.2 million in 2008, an increase of 11% against 2007. Trade value rose to US$56 million in the first nine months of this year. The two countries’ Sub-committees on Trade met at February 2009 to identify measures to promote bilateral trade.

Recently, Myanmar appreciates the economic and trade relations with Vietnam. Myanmar committed to create favorable conditions for Vietnam businessmen to invest in Myanmar. Several delegations of Vietnamese enterprises attended business forum and international fairs in Myanmar. Some Vietnamese enterprises have been in the process of negotiating to establish joint-ventures in Myanmar (VINAMOTOR, Bicycles Company, Hoang Long Green Bean Cakes Company, Electronic Spare Parts Company VTB, Electrical Spare Parts Company,). General Group of Telecommunication (Viettel) opened its representative office in Myanmar (August 2009); PetroVietnam (PVN) is currently studying the oil potentials at block M2 in Myanmar off-shore.

The two countries have conducted seven sessions of the Vietnam-Myanmar Joint Committee, outlining areas of special cooperation in trade, agro-forestry and fisheries, industry, healthcare, tourism, post and telecommunications and aviation. They have also coordinated closely at regional and international forums such as the Greater Sub-Mekong region (GMS) and the ACMECS. /.