Azerbaijan, Vietnam step into new era of cooperation From defence to education

The older generation will surely remember the days when numerous Vietnamese students studied in Azerbaijan without experiencing any discomfort. In Baku, they truly felt at home.

This played an important role in the successful establishment of the Association of Vietnamese Students who studied in Azerbaijan, which continues to operate in Vietnam. Many of its members today hold key positions and contribute significantly to their country's development.

One must also not forget the Azerbaijani people's support for the noble struggle of Vietnamese patriots for national independence and territorial integrity.

Azerbaijan has always admired the unique character of the Vietnamese people, who put an end not only to foreign intervention but also to France’s colonial ambitions, which unleashed a bloody rampage against the local population.

These events are documented in a Vietnamese museum established in 1956 on the site of Hoa Lo Prison, where colonial authorities tortured freedom fighters, even going as far as using the guillotine against patriotic citizens.

A special place in historical memory is held by the visit of President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, to Azerbaijan in 1959, and the visit of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to Vietnam in 1983, when he was serving as First Deputy Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers.

It is no coincidence that, in his interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the eve of the state visit to Baku by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev emphasised the symbolic importance of these mutual steps, which laid “a solid foundation for the development of cooperation between our countries.”

It is also worth noting the ceremonial event held in Baku in 2019 to mark the 60th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh’s visit, which was attended by Vietnamese officials.

The Vietnamese side emphasised at the time that the 1959 visit “served as a model for Vietnam’s development of its oil and gas industry.” Azerbaijani specialists worked in the country, and Azerbaijan supplied significant volumes of equipment and machinery for the oil sector.

Today, Vietnam is a strong and promising nation with a rapidly growing economy.

In 2024, GDP growth reached nearly 7.1%, surpassing the target set by the National Assembly (6.5%). In the first quarter of 2025, GDP expanded by another 7% year-on-year. In February, the National Assembly approved a new target of at least 8% for 2025, exceeding the previous forecast of 6.5–7.0%.

Against this backdrop, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Vietnam reached nearly $224 million in 2024. In the first third of 2025, the figure approached $130 million, indicating steady positive momentum.

President Ilham Aliyev stated clearly: “I am sure that the results of the visit will be successful and the agreements reached will translate into concrete projects.”

The Head of State also highlighted the importance of boosting mutual trade through the North–South and East–West transport corridors. The latter is particularly significant due to the opportunity it provides Vietnam to export goods via a route stretching across the Indian Ocean, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia, as well as along the southwest route into Europe. Additionally, Hanoi is closely focused on the East–West corridor running through China, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan into Europe.

To Lam, in turn, outlined five priority areas for cooperation, emphasising the importance of strengthening engagement at all levels, including the creation of new mechanisms for mutual understanding.

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam highlighted a special framework for cooperation in the fields of energy, oil, gas, and other sectors. He also stressed the need to expand collaboration in the cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as on issues of mutual interest, including coordination within the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

To Lam paid particular attention to strengthening ties in the field of defence and security. President Ilham Aliyev also noted the significant potential of the defence industry, emphasising: “This sector is sufficiently developed in both countries. Here, too, joining efforts, creating joint ventures and mutual cooperation can be beneficial.”

All of these ideas were reflected in the bilateral documents signed during the visit, including agreements in the fields of defence and energy, as well as the establishment of a Joint Business Council.

President Ilham Aliyev described these developments as a reflection of the continuity of Azerbaijan’s political course. He recalled Heydar Aliyev’s visit to Vietnam in 1983, his own state visit to Vietnam in 2014, and the visit of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang to Azerbaijan in 2015, during which the first Azerbaijan–Vietnam business forum was held.

Continuity is also evident in the humanitarian sphere. In his interview, President Ilham Aliyev mentioned the creation of the “Vietnam Suite” in 1955 by composer Gara Garayev for the first Soviet-Vietnamese documentary film, as well as the contribution of director Ajdar Ibrahimov to the development of the Vietnamese film school between 1959 and 1962.

In line with this legacy, 2024 saw the premiere in Baku of the film “Legends Makers” , dedicated to the heroism of Vietnamese soldiers, along with the organisation of the Vietnam Days in Baku, held to mark the 65th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh’s historic visit.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is implementing projects in Vietnam, including the construction of a primary school in the Hazyang province. In April 2025, the Hanoi College of Trade and Tourism was presented with a certificate of financial support from the Foundation. Additionally, in 2019, a ceremony was held in Hanoi to mark the 650th anniversary of Imadaddin Nasimi.

These events highlight the unique atmosphere of relations between Baku and Hanoi. President Ilham Aliyev described To Lam's visit to Azerbaijan not only as politically significant but also as a reflection of both sides’ desire to expand cooperation.

He characterised the visit of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam as “an important milestone in the development of Azerbaijan-Vietnam cooperation” and a powerful catalyst for opening new horizons in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.

President Ilham Aliyev also addressed educational cooperation: “ As always, we will welcome students from Vietnam. They can take advantage of educational programs offered by Azerbaijan within the framework of grants and scholarships for citizens of NAM member countries.” He stated that this would "improve opportunities for academic exchange, scientific research and interpersonal contacts between Azerbaijan and Vietnam."

In a press statement, To Lam confirmed both sides’ commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, renouncement of the use of force, and respect for international law.

The parties also emphasised the interaction between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the "New Azerbaijan" Party.

Azerbaijan–Vietnam relations hold a special place in the emerging new world order. The prospects for bilateral partnership are significant, and concrete steps in this direction can be expected in the near future.