Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Says they are lessons that may offer valuable guidance for Sri Lanka as it navigates its economic development journey

• Solidarity, mutual learning, and joint advocacy are central to addressing global economic challenges and advancing inclusive development.
• While both countries are recognized exporters of apparel products… we believe that complementarities outweigh competition.
• Viet Nam’s experience demonstrates the importance of consistent policies, investment in human resources, and global integration, lessons that may offer valuable guidance for Sri Lanka as it navigates its economic development journey.
• Success depends on synergy: the State provides transparent regulations, infrastructure, and enabling policies, while private enterprises contribute efficiency, creativity, and market responsiveness.
• Viet Nam has always remembered Sri Lanka’s support during difficult periods, particularly in the struggle for national independence and reunification.
• These intensive measures ensure that the high-level commitments and agreements… are translated into actionable, mutually beneficial cooperation.

Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the way forward for enhancement of bilateral ties. She shares her views in this regard on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of Viet Nam’s Independence Day (1945-2025) and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka (1970–2025).

QDuring the State visit to Viet Nam by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, there were commitments and agreements to enhance cooperation in various areas. What tangible action has been taken since then to advance ties?

The state visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Viet Nam in May 2025 was a landmark event, marking the first state visit to Viet Nam by a Sri Lankan President since 2009. 

It coincided with the 55th anniversary of Viet Nam-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter for partnership and cooperation across multiple sectors.

During the visit, a Joint Statement was released, highlighting key commitments to uplift bilateral relations to the next level. Moreover, five key agreements were signed in trade, agriculture, education, machinery, and customs.

Since then, Ministries and agencies of the two countries have been in active performance to translate these commitments and agreements into concrete outcomes. The Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation and the Joint Sub-Committee on Trade have been reactivated to review pending issues, particularly in trade, aiming to facilitate smoother bilateral trade. Most recently, ROX Group from Viet Nam made a study visit in Sri Lanka for possible solar energy investment, and was received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

Business delegations are preparing reciprocal visits this year, focusing on textiles, garments, tea trade, and processed food products, enabling direct partnerships between enterprises. 

In agriculture, Viet Nam has shared technical know-how in rice cultivation, aquaculture, and coffee processing, while Sri Lanka expressed strong interest in Viet Nam’s experience with vocational training and agricultural modernization. Intensive discussion has also been ongoing for early direct flights between the two countries. In addition, cultural and people-to-people exchanges have been promoted through commemorative activities.

These intensive measures ensure that the high-level commitments and agreements made during the State visit by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake are translated into actionable, mutually beneficial cooperation.

QHow can Viet Nam and Sri Lanka collaborate to overcome challenges posed to our economies?

Both Viet Nam and Sri Lanka face significant economic challenges, including macroeconomic volatility, supply chain disruptions, fluctuating commodity prices, and climate-related risks. 

Collaboration is therefore vital to ensure stability, resilience, and sustainable growth.

There are three main avenues for cooperation. First, policy sharing. Viet Nam’s experience in controlling inflation, diversifying exports, managing fiscal discipline, and promoting structural reforms can provide insights for Sri Lanka as it implements its economic recovery measures.

Second, South–South cooperation in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and digital transformation presents opportunities for joint growth. 

Viet Nam has developed expertise in solar and wind power, as well as the application of digital technologies in public services, manufacturing, and trade facilitation. 

Sharing knowledge and best practices can help both nations strengthen green and resilient economies.

Third, multilateral engagement is essential. Viet Nam and Sri Lanka continue to support each other in international forums to promote fair trading rules and amplify the voice of developing countries. Solidarity, mutual learning, and joint advocacy are central to addressing global economic challenges and advancing inclusive development.

Q Sri Lanka and Viet Nam are competitive economies as apparel product exporters and investment destinations. What are the plans to make our economies complementary?

While both countries are recognized exporters of apparel products and attractive investment destinations, we believe that complementarities outweigh competition. Sri Lanka is known for high-quality, ethically produced garments with sustainable manufacturing practices, whereas Viet Nam benefits from large-scale production, integrated supply chains, and diversified trade agreements, allowing it to compete effectively in global markets.

The strategy is to harness the strengths of both countries to create mutually beneficial partnerships. 

For example, Viet Nam and Sri Lanka could co-develop apparel brands that combine Sri Lanka’s premium quality with Viet Nam’s competitive production scale. Supporting sectors such as textiles, accessories, logistics, and e-commerce could be jointly developed to integrate supply chains and expand market reach.

Additionally, the two countries can jointly target new export markets in Africa and the Middle East, broadening their customer base without undermining each other. This shift from zero-sum competition to a win–win framework leverages complementarities, strengthens resilience against global market fluctuations, and encourages innovation and collaboration in both manufacturing and trade.

QViet Nam underwent economic hardships in the 1980s. Today, yours is a major economy. What kind of reforms did you implement? Does it serve as a reference for Sri Lanka?

Viet Nam’s transformative experience began with the Đoi Moi economic reforms in 1986, when the country faced hyperinflation, food shortages, and stagnating growth. The reforms focused on four key pillars: (i) Transitioning from a centrally-planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, allowing market forces to drive growth while the state ensured social equity and strategic planning; (ii) Trade liberalization, opening up the economy to global markets and promoting export-led growth; (iii) Encouraging private enterprise alongside the State sector, fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and competition; and (iv) Actively attracting foreign direct investment through legal reforms, infrastructure development, and stable policies.

The results have been transformative. Viet Nam achieved rapid, sustained economic growth for over three decades, with GDP growth averaging around 6–7% annually, lifted tens of millions out of poverty, and became one of Asia’s most dynamic economies and an important player in global supply chains, especially in manufacturing and agriculture. 

Doi Moi also emphasized education, infrastructure, and human capital development, which remain central to sustaining growth.

While no reform model can be directly transplanted, Viet Nam’s experience demonstrates the importance of consistent policies, investment in human resources, and global integration, lessons that may offer valuable guidance for Sri Lanka as it navigates its economic development journey.

QHow do you define the role of the State sector and the private sector in running the economy in both Viet Nam and Sri Lanka?

In Viet Nam, the State sector plays a strategic role in industries critical for national development and security, such as infrastructure, energy, and defense, providing long-term planning and regulatory oversight. The private sector, meanwhile, has become the engine of growth, driving innovation, creating jobs, and expanding competitiveness both domestically and internationally.

Sri Lanka exhibits a similar dynamic. While the State sector retains a central role in certain areas, private enterprises are dynamic in apparel, tourism, and services. Success depends on synergy: the State provides transparent regulations, infrastructure, and enabling policies, while private enterprises contribute efficiency, creativity, and market responsiveness. 

A complementary relationship between the two sectors strengthens economic performance, ensures social inclusion, and builds resilience in the face of global challenges.

QHow do you see the evolution of the partnership between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka after 55 years of diplomatic relations (1970–2025)?

The 55-year journey of Viet Nam–Sri Lanka relations has been remarkable. In 1970, Sri Lanka was among the first South Asian nations to establish diplomatic ties with Viet Nam, demonstrating solidarity during a challenging period. Viet Nam has always remembered Sri Lanka’s support during difficult periods, particularly in the struggle for national independence and reunification. This foundation has evolved into a multifaceted partnership, encompassing political cooperation, trade, investment, education, defense, agriculture, and maritime collaboration.

Over the past 55 years, high-level contacts and visits, including those by Presidents, Prime Ministers, Speakers and Foreign Ministers, frequent operation of bilateral mechanisms, as well as the signing of various cooperation agreements have reinforced mutual trust and facilitated strategic planning for bilateral cooperation. Economic ties have gradually strengthened, with bilateral trade expanding nearly tenfold from US $ 30 million in 2000 to about US $ 300 million in recent years. 

Sri Lanka has 30 investment projects in Viet Nam with total registerd capital of over US $ 43 million. At the same time, cultural and educational exchanges, Buddhist connections, and people-to-people links have helped to nurture mutual understanding and goodwill at the grassroots level. 

In addition, the two countries have consistently supported each other at multi lateral fora, especially the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as in issues of mutual concern such as climate change, energy transition, disaster relief…, for peace, stability, and development in the region and beyond.

Looking back, we can be proud of the achievements gained. Looking forward, the partnership aims to enhance economic linkages, expand maritime cooperation and foster collaboration in technology, renewable energy, aviation, logistics. 

This multi-dimensional approach ensures that Viet Nam–Sri Lanka relations will continue to grow, bringing prosperity, stability, and mutual benefits to both peoples.

QWhat are the plans for the development of cultural, religious ties, and people-to-people links?

Cultural and Buddhist connections are central to our bilateral relationship. Buddhism, in particular, forms a strong bond, with Viet Nam hosting Sri Lankan monks, scholars, and students, while Vietnamese pilgrims visit Sri Lanka’s sacred sites, including Anuradhapura and Kandy.

Beyond religion, initiatives are underway to strengthen cultural exchange through festivals, film screenings, art exhibitions, and academic collaborations. Scholarships and training programs for Sri Lankan students in Viet Nam enhance educational links and mutual understanding.

Tourism remains a key pillar of people-to-people relations, not only contributing to economic growth but also playing a vital role in strengthening cultural exchange and people-to-people links. 

In 2024, Viet Nam welcomed 14.000 arrivals from Sri Lanka; almost the same number of Vietnamese tourists and pilgrims visited Sri Lanka. 

To attract more visitors, both countries should intensify promotional campaigns, develop tailored packages and soon realize direct air links, among others.