Bhutan-Vietnam Relations Deepen with First-Ever State Visit
Bhutan’s King and Queen made history with their first State Visit to Vietnam, where they were warmly received by leaders and citizens alike. The visit deepened cultural, spiritual, and economic ties, while spotlighting Bhutan’s visionary Gelephu Mindfulness City as a model for sustainable growth.
King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema returned to Bhutan today after completing a landmark five-day State Visit to Việt Nam from 18th to 22nd August 2025. This marks the first ever State Visit by a Bhutanese Monarch to the Southeast Asian nation.
Throughout the visit, Their Majesties were received with immense warmth and respect. They met with government and business leaders, as well as members of the Bhutanese community residing in Việt Nam. In Hà Nội, Their Majesties were accorded an official welcome ceremony by President Lương Cường and his spouse at the Presidential Palace. They also paid tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh and Việt Nam’s national heroes and martyrs.
High-Level Engagements
During the visit, His Majesty The King held bilateral meetings with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Tô Lâm, President Lương Cường, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and Chairman of the National Assembly Trần Thanh Mẫn.
Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, meanwhile, met the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment and representatives of WWF-Việt Nam, where discussions centred on shared priorities in biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable development.
Cultural and Spiritual Connections
Her Majesty and Việt Nam’s First Lady, Madame Nguyễn Thị Minh Nguyệt, visited Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hà Nội, the country’s oldest Buddhist temple, where they were welcomed by the abbot Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhã and offered prayers.
Their Majesties also visited Quang Ninh Province and toured the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, strengthening cultural and spiritual connections between the two nations.
Strengthening Cooperation and Connectivity
Bhutan and Việt Nam reaffirmed their commitment to deepen ties across multiple sectors, including investment, trade, cultural and spiritual exchanges. Việt Nam’s leaders praised His Majesty’s visionary Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, recognising it as a pioneering model for sustainable, values-based development and a promising avenue for investment.
Two agreements were signed during the visit:
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Memorandum of Understanding on the Framework for Cooperation between the Government of Bhutan and the Government of Việt Nam.
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Memorandum of Understanding between Bhutan’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and Việt Nam’s Civil Aviation Authority, aimed at strengthening civil aviation cooperation and paving the way for greater connectivity.
Expanding Areas of Collaboration
Both countries expressed their desire to enhance cooperation across a wide range of areas, including:
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Politics, economy, investment, and trade
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Technology, education, and cultural exchange
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Air connectivity and tourism
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Agriculture, environment, and renewable energy
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People-to-people exchanges and multilateral collaboration
They also agreed to explore negotiations on agreements such as the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and the Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreement to further boost bilateral trade and economic partnership.
Shared Vision and International Cooperation
Leaders of both nations reiterated their commitment to sustainability, environmental conservation, and tackling climate change. They also underscored the importance of human resource development, vocational training, and educational cooperation, as well as collaboration in tourism through joint promotion and policy support.
Bhutan and Việt Nam commended their cooperation at international fora such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement and pledged to strengthen collaboration on global issues of mutual concern.
A Visit of Friendship and Gratitude
Throughout the visit, Việt Nam’s leaders hosted Their Majesties with great honour, including a State Banquet hosted by the President and First Lady. His Majesty expressed admiration for Việt Nam’s socio-economic progress and lauded the resilience and creativity of its people, as well as the country’s rise as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.
In return, Their Majesties expressed deep appreciation for the hospitality and warmth of the Vietnamese government and people. Before departing, they extended invitations to Việt Nam’s leaders to visit Bhutan, signalling the beginning of a stronger era of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Find out how to travel to Bhutan from Vietnam.
