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Mexico–Vietnam relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Mexico and Vietnam. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation and the United Nations.
Contents
History
Mexico and Vietnam are two nations that share a common history in the fact that both nations at one time were under the French colonial empire. In 1945, Vietnam declared independence from France and soon Vietnam entered into the First Indochina War (1946-1954) and then the Vietnam War (1955-1975). During the Vietnam war, Mexico remained neutral. After the war ended in April 1975, both nations soon established diplomatic relations with each other that same year. Later that same year, Vietnam opened an embassy in Mexico City and Mexico followed suit by opening an embassy in Hanoi in 1976; however, Mexico closed its embassy in 1980 due to financial reasons. Mexico re-opened its embassy in October 2000.
The two nations have signed several cooperation agreements in different areas such as scientific and technological cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, culture, education and suppression of visa requirements for official and diplomatic passport holders of both nations. In 2011, Mexico unveiled a statue of Chairman Ho Chi Minh in Mexico City.
State visits
Prime Ministerial visits from Vietnam to Mexico
As of yet, no Mexican President has visited Vietnam. In 2006, former Mexican President Vicente Fox was due to visit Vietnam, however, due to political maneuvering from the Mexican congress, his visit was not authorized as all Mexican Presidents need their foreign trips to be authorized by congress before traveling.
Trade relations
In 2014, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $2.26 billion USD. Mexico's main exports to Vietnam include: flour, meat, calamari and alcohol (beer) while Vietnam's main exports to Mexico include: electronics and textiles.