Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Ho An Phong, met with Dominica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, External Trade, Commerce, and Energy, Vince Henderson, in Hanoi on May 28th to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in culture, sports, and tourism. The meeting underscored both nations’ commitment to strengthening ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
Vietnam’s Commitment to Broadened International Relations
Deputy Minister Ho An Phong reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent pursuit of an open, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy. He emphasized Vietnam’s readiness to act as a reliable partner and active member of the international community. Building upon this foundation, Vietnam expressed a strong desire to deepen its friendly relations and cooperation with Dominica, particularly focusing on cultural exchange, sports collaboration, and tourism development.
Deputy Minister Ho also proposed that both countries explore the possibility of signing a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports, building upon the existing visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passports. He believes such an agreement would significantly enhance people-to-people exchanges.
Regarding sports, Deputy Minister Ho acknowledged Dominica’s willingness to cooperate. He highlighted the Vietnamese people’s love for sports. While sports like rugby and track and field are not yet widely popular in Vietnam, he suggested that collaborative efforts could introduce and develop these sports, enriching the nation’s sporting landscape. On the tourism front, he announced Vietnam’s ambitious target of welcoming over 20 million international tourists this year. Vietnam’s open-door policy aims to facilitate the entry of both Vietnamese and international citizens, and the country seeks to work with partner nations like Dominica to achieve this goal.
Dominica’s Support for Vietnam on the Global Stage and its Vision for Enhanced Cooperation
Minister Vince Henderson lauded Vietnam’s growing international role, stressing Dominica’s unwavering support for Vietnam in international forums such as UNESCO and the WTO, as well as in global peace-keeping and cooperation efforts. Despite the geographical distance, he highlighted the shared values between the two nations, particularly their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and sustainable development in their regions and globally.
Minister Henderson revealed that Dominica is awaiting Vietnamese government approval to establish an embassy in Vietnam. He believes this will create a more solid foundation for closer cooperation.
In the realm of sports, Minister Henderson proudly mentioned Dominica’s gold medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He expressed Dominica’s readiness to share expertise, provide coaching support, and organize sports exchanges with Vietnam.
On tourism, he strategically positioned Dominica as a gateway to the Caribbean for Vietnamese travelers, leveraging the proximity of Caribbean islands. He emphasized that with effective connectivity, Dominica could become an attractive and convenient starting point for Vietnamese tourists exploring the wider Caribbean region. To realize this vision, both countries must collaborate on promotion strategies to showcase their respective cultures and attract tourists.
Minister Henderson also expressed a keen interest in fostering exchanges and expanding cooperation in education. He hopes to see Dominican students studying in Vietnam in the near future.
Specific Areas of Potential Collaboration: A Detailed Look
This meeting laid the groundwork for significant collaboration across numerous sectors:
Cultural Exchange: Both nations aim to enrich their cultural understanding through reciprocal exchanges. Specific initiatives will need to be developed, such as artist exchanges, cultural performances, and educational programs fostering mutual appreciation.
Sports Development: Dominica will share its expertise and coaching experience, focusing especially on developing less popular sports in Vietnam. Joint training programs and athletic competitions will be instrumental in strengthening cooperation.
Tourism Promotion: The goal is to increase tourism between both countries. This involves developing joint marketing campaigns, facilitating visa processes (through a potential visa waiver agreement), and improving air and sea connectivity to make travel more accessible. Dominica envisions itself as a gateway to the wider Caribbean region for Vietnamese tourists, requiring coordination on promotional materials and travel packages.
Educational Partnerships: The establishment of student exchange programs and scholarships will promote educational collaboration between the universities and educational institutions of both countries. This will also encourage academic research and intellectual exchange.
Diplomatic Ties: The potential establishment of a Dominican embassy in Vietnam signifies a crucial step in elevating bilateral relations and facilitating more efficient cooperation across all sectors.
The Significance of the Meeting and Future Prospects
The meeting between Deputy Minister Ho An Phong and Minister Vince Henderson represents a significant step in strengthening the ties between Vietnam and Dominica. The discussions covered a wide range of cooperation areas, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to nurturing these relationships further. The emphasis on people-to-people connections, particularly through tourism and educational exchanges, indicates a focus on building long-lasting and fruitful relationships. The potential visa waiver agreement, if realized, would significantly enhance the ease of travel between the two countries, fostering more frequent interactions. The successful cooperation across these various sectors will contribute positively to the socio-economic development of both Vietnam and Dominica.
The ongoing collaboration between Vietnam and Dominica promises to generate significant positive outcomes in various fields, underpinned by the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral ties, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting sustainable growth.
