Historical Milestones and Economic Prospects
On August 25, the Embassy of Uruguay in Vietnam hosted the 200th Independence Day Celebration in Hanoi. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang, along with various representatives of international organizations.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Raul Pollak Giamprieto emphasized the robust potential for economic development between the two nations. Specifically, in the first half of 2025, exports from Uruguay to Vietnam surged by 30% year-over-year. Currently, Uruguay is actively seeking market opportunities for products such as yerba mate tea and premium wines.
Uruguay: A Vital “Gateway” to South America
Additionally, the Ambassador affirmed that Southeast Asia remains a top priority region for Uruguay. The primary objectives are to expand markets, enhance tourism, and attract investment. Thanks to its strategic location, the country is widely considered the “gateway” to the MERCOSUR market—a vast region comprising over 350 million people with a GDP exceeding $3 trillion USD.
Agreeing with this assessment, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral relations. He highlighted that trade between the two countries in 2024 made substantial, practical progress. Furthermore, both sides are actively promoting the negotiation of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between MERCOSUR and Vietnam.
Expanding Cultural and Educational Cooperation
Beyond the economic sector, Uruguay and Vietnam also highly prioritize cooperation in education and tourism:
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Educational Exchange: Since 2024, the two countries have collaborated to implement Spanish language internship programs. In 2025, Uruguay plans to send lecturers to teach at Hanoi University.
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Cultural Promotion: Uruguay is actively promoting the translation of its prominent literary works into Vietnamese.
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Tourism Facilitation: Both nations are considering simplifying visa procedures to encourage tourism exchange and strengthen people-to-people ties.
TUT Attends to Strengthen Bilateral Friendship
Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Uruguay were officially established in 1993. Over the past three decades, this relationship has consistently developed with stability and growing sustainability.
In this solemn atmosphere, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung—representing TUT—attended the ceremony. His presence was not merely to share in the joy of the Uruguayan people; above all, it served as a valuable opportunity to foster mutual understanding and unlock new collaborative prospects for the future.