Canada–Vietnam Relations
Bilateral relationship
Canada established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973, opening an Embassy in Hanoi in 1994 and a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in 1997. In 2018, we celebrated the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties. In 2017, a Canada-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership was formally announced by both countries. The partnership identifies a number of areas for cooperation; namely: political and diplomatic; trade and investment; development cooperation; defence and security; cultural and academic exchange; science, technology and innovation; and people-to-people ties.
In Vietnam, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada in Hanoi. Canada is also represented by a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. In Canada, Vietnam is represented by the Embassy of Vietnam and a Trade Office in Ottawa, and a Consulate General in Vancouver.
Trade relationship
Vietnam has been Canada’s largest trading partner in the ASEAN region since 2015. In 2018, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Vietnam reached $6.46 billion, up from $6.1 billion in 2017. In 2018, Canada’s merchandise exports to Vietnam amounted to approximately $1 billion. Canada’s merchandise imports from Vietnam totalled more than $5.39 billion.
The priority areas in Vietnam for Canadian commercial interests are agriculture and agri-food, education, information and communication technologies, clean technology, infrastructure, and aerospace.
Trade and investment agreements
Trade and investment agreements involving Canada and Vietnam:
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
- World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA)
- Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
- Agreement on Trade-related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT)
- General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
- World Trade Organization Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
For more information, consult trade and investment agreements.
Development
Canada has been a partner of Vietnam’s development for over 25 years. Since 1990, Canada has contributed over $1.5 billion in development assistance through all channels to support Vietnam’s development and poverty reduction efforts, closely aligned to Vietnam’s strategic priorities. Canada and Vietnam have a trusting relationship on development cooperation which has produced good results on poverty reduction and strengthened people-to-people links.
Canada’s development objective in Vietnam is to reduce poverty by supporting growth that works for everyone and improving inclusive governance. Through our work, we are supporting more inclusive policy and legislative development, entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises, agricultural value chain development, and skills for employment.
Partners and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Vietnam work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC)
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Source: https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/vietnam/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/index.aspx?lang=eng