# Comprehensive strategic partnerships of Vietnam

Strategic partnership and comprehensive partnership are phrases that refer to diplomatic relations between two countries. Relations range from bilateral partners, regional partners to comprehensive partners, strategic partners. By 2013, although there had been 10 strategic partnerships established over the previous 10 years, Vietnamese foreign policy makers had not yet come up with a clear definition. for this concept, especially its connotation. In an interview with the Government Electronic Newspaper in 2015, Mr. Tran Viet Thai, Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy, reported: Vietnam has 5 comprehensive strategic partners, 15 strategic partners. strategic (including four comprehensive strategic partners) and 12 comprehensive partners. According to master Le Hong Hiep, a relationship should be considered "strategic" for Vietnam only if it has particularly important implications for Vietnam's security, prosperity, and international position. Of these three aspects, the two aspects of security and prosperity must be the two essential aspects, while the last aspect is only of secondary significance.
By 2025, Vietnam currently has: 12 Comprehensive Strategic Partners; 20 Strategic Partners (including 11 Comprehensive Strategic Partners) and 14 Comprehensive Partners. Of which 8/10 countries are CPTPP members (excluding Vietnam) with 1 country being a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, 4 countries being Strategic Partners and 3 countries being Comprehensive Partners; The remaining two countries that do not have high-level partnerships are Peru and Mexico. With ASEAN countries, Vietnam has currently established high-level diplomatic relations with all 9/9 member countries (excluding Vietnam) with 5 countries being Strategic Partners and 2 countries being Comprehensive Partners; The remaining three countries, Cambodia, Laos and Cuba are under Special Relations.
Another special case among Vietnam's partners is the United States, which has had its relationship level upgraded from Comprehensive Partnership (established in 2013) to the highest level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (established in 2023), which ignores the Strategic Partnership level.

## Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Comprehensive strategic partnership, also known as comprehensive strategic cooperation partner, means two or more parties identify long-term interests, support each other and promote extensive and comprehensive cooperation across the world. all areas where both parties benefit. At the same time, the two sides also build mutual trust at the strategic level.
As of 2024, there are 9 countries with comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam: China (May 2008), Russia (July 27, 2012), India (September 3, 2016), South Korea (December 5, 2022), United States (September 10, 2023), Japan (November 27, 2023), Australia (March 7, 2024), France (October 8, 2024), Malaysia (November 21, 2024). The list below is listed by year of relationship upgrade:

### China

During the official visit to China in May 2008 of General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh, senior leaders of the two countries agreed to build a "Comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" in the 21st century on the basis of 16 Word Guideline "Friendly neighbors, Comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, looking to the future" and the 4 good spirit "Good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, good partners".
On the occasion of the state visit of General Secretary - President Xi Jinping to Hanoi from December 12–13, 2023, the two sides signed a Joint Declaration on "continuing to deepen and further enhance bilateral relations." comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, building a strategically meaningful Vietnam-China Future Sharing Community".

### Russia

On March 1, 2001, during the official visit to Vietnam by President of Russia Vladimir Putin - the first official visit to Vietnam by the Russian head of state since Russia was founded in 1991, the two sides signed the Declaration Joint statement on strategic partnership. This is considered the foundation for cooperation between Vietnam and Russia in the 21st century. Russia also became the first country to establish a strategic partnership with Vietnam.
On November 20, 2006, during Russian President Putin's second visit to Vietnam, the two sides issued a statement on "strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries".
On July 27, 2012, during President Trương Tấn Sang visit to Russia, the two sides issued a Joint Statement on strengthening Vietnam - Russia relations, recognizing the two countries' "comprehensive strategic partnership".

### India

In July 2007, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng visited India and the leaders of the two countries officially raised the relationship to the level of "strategic partnership" with increased political cooperation in the direction of increasingly integrating tight and trustworthy.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam on September 2–3, 2016, the two countries agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship from a Strategic Partnership to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership".

### South Korea

In October 2009, during the visit to Vietnam of Korean President Lee Myung-bak, President Nguyễn Minh Triết and he announced upgrading the two countries' relationship to a "Strategic Cooperative Partnership".
On the afternoon of December 5, 2022, immediately after the talks in Seoul between President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, the two countries agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship from Strategic Partnership to "Strategic Partnership". Comprehensive strategic partnership" on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishing bilateral diplomatic relations (December 22, 1992 - December 22, 2022).

### United States

On July 25, 2013, a meeting took place at the White House between President Trương Tấn Sang and US President Barack Obama. The two leaders decided to establish a comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States based on the principles of respect for the United Nations Charter, international law, respect for political institutions, independence and sovereignty. and each other's territorial integrity.
On September 10, 2023, during the official State visit from September 10–11, 2023 of President Joe Biden to Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, the two sides issued a Joint Communiqué. , officially upgraded the relationship to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This is also the first time in history that Vietnam has upgraded its partnership with a country from the level of Comprehensive Partnership to the highest level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, skipping the level of Strategic Partnership, in just one year. 10 years (from 2013 to 2023).

### Japan

In October 2006, on the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng official visit to Japan, the two sides agreed to issue a Joint Declaration on "Towards a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia".
In April 2009, during General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh visit to Japan, the two sides officially established the "Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia" relationship.
On March 18, 2014, President Trương Tấn Sang and Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzō signed a joint statement upgrading the Vietnam - Japan Strategic Partnership to a new level into "Warfare Partnership". A far-reaching Strategy for Peace and Prosperity in Asia".
During the visit to Japan from November 22–25, 2021 of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính with his counterpart - Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, the two sides issued a Joint Statement reaffirming: agreeing to bring the "Partnership" The "Vietnam - Japan Extensive Strategy" has developed to new heights, becoming increasingly profound, substantive and effective in all fields.
On the occasion of his official visit to Japan to attend the 50th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, on the afternoon of November 27, 2023, President Võ Văn Thưởng and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced the upgrade of relations. The two countries established a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world".

### Australia

During General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh visit to Canberra in September 2009, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Gia Khiêm signed a joint statement on the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries. The joint statement sets out six major areas of future cooperation including: political relations and public policy exchange; economic growth and trade; development support and technical cooperation; defense and security relations; connecting the people of the two countries; global and regional agenda.
During his trip to Australia from March 14 to 18, 2018, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc was welcomed with the highest protocol for the head of the Government at the Australian Parliament House. Immediately after that, on the morning of March 15, 2018, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull signed a Joint Declaration on establishing a Strategic Partnership between the two countries, upgrading Vietnam - Australia relations from Partnership. comprehensive cooperation in 2009 to the level of Strategic Partner. The two countries also agreed to focus on realizing their intention to upgrade relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
On March 7, 2024, on the occasion of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visit to Australia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the two sides agreed to upgrade relations to the highest level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, becoming Vietnam's 7th comprehensive strategic partner.

### France

On the occasion of the official visit to France (September 24–26, 2013), Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault signed the "Joint Declaration on the Vietnam - France Strategic Partnership"
On the occasion of the official visit to France (October 6–7, 2024), General Secretary - President Tô Lâm and French President Emmanuel Macron signed the "Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France", becoming Vietnam's 8th comprehensive strategic partner.

### Malaysia

In 2004, on the occasion of Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải visit to Malaysia, the two countries issued a "Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Partnership framework in the 21st century".
In August 2015, during the official visit of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the two countries continued to issue a joint statement establishing a strategic partnership between the two sides.
During General Secretary Tô Lâm official visit to Malaysia, the two governments decided to upgrade Vietnam-Malaysia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

## Strategic Partnership

Strategic partnership is a relationship that is global, key and has long-term value over time. The relationship involves many areas of mutually beneficial development (win-win relationship) and can include the field of military security. The number of strategic partners of this type is increasing rapidly.
According to Professor Valeri Lotxkin (Russia), "strategic partnership" must include the following contents:
       Do not attack each other; do not ally against other countries; not interfere in each other's internal affairs; There must be mutual trust.
For the US, strategic partnership must include close military and security cooperation.
In terms of form, strategic partnerships can be flexible (formal or informal, bilateral or multilateral, broad or narrow scope and level of participation, more or less...) and open because not aiming for a specific outcome.
Strategic partners around the world:
* China: is the country with the most strategic partnerships in the world with more than 60 partners, including small countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and three partners who are international organizations including the EU, ASEAN and the African Union.
* Russia: more than 40 strategic partners and equivalents.
* United States: 9 strategic partners, 3 comprehensive partners, 2 special relationships with the UK and Israel, 2 non-NATO alliances, 8 other alliances. A total of 24 or more strategic partners or equivalent. France: 13 strategic partners.
* United Kingdom and India: each country has 12 alliances and strategic partnerships;
Currently, Vietnam has 20 countries as strategic partners (9 countries are comprehensive strategic partners), of which 5 partners are key countries in ASEAN, including:Russia (2001); India (2007); China (2008); Japan, South Korea and Spain (2009); United Kingdom (2010); Germany (2011); Italy (January 2013), Thailand (June 2013), Indonesia (June 2013), Singapore (September 2013), France (September 2013); Philippines (2015); Australia (2018); New Zealand (2020) and United States (September 2023); Brazil (November 2024); Czech Republic (2025)
The list below is based on the year the relationship was upgraded, and does not re-list the comprehensive strategic partnership countries above.

### Spain

During President Nguyễn Minh Triết visit to Spain in December 2009, the two sides established a "strategic partnership towards the future", affirming their determination to promote multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. water in the near future.

### United Kingdom

Within the framework of the official visit to the United Kingdom from September 8–12, 2010, on the afternoon of September 8 (dawn Hanoi time), in London, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Gia Khiêm held talks with British Foreign Minister William Hague. Immediately after the talks, the two sides signed a Joint Declaration officially upgrading Vietnam - UK relations to a strategic partnership, creating a framework for comprehensive development of bilateral relations.

### Germany

During German Chancellor Angela Merkel visit to Vietnam (October 2011), the Prime Ministers of the two countries signed the Hanoi Joint Declaration on establishing a Strategic Partnership, which set out goals and measures. Specifically, strengthen cooperation in priority areas.
Notably, after the Trinh Xuan Thanh incident, Germany suspended its Strategic Partnership with Vietnam in 2018. However, since 2019, the two sides have made moves to resume their Strategic Partnership, culminating in the official state visit of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier from January 23–24. January 2024. During this visit, the two sides also continued to sign the Action Plan to implement the Strategic Partnership for the two years 2023-2024.

### Italy

During the State visit to Italy from January 20–22, 2013 of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyễn Phú Trọng, the two sides signed a Joint Declaration establishing a strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy.

### Thailand

In June 2013, General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng paid an official visit to Thailand from June 25–27, 2013. General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra agreed to establish a strategic partnership between Vietnam - Thailand and Thailand - Vietnam with 5 main pillars: political relations, defense and security cooperation. security, economic cooperation, social and cultural cooperation, regional and international cooperation.

### Indonesia

In June 2013, President Trương Tấn Sang visited Indonesia at the invitation of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from June 27–28, 2013. After the talks, the two sides agreed to upgrade to a Strategic Partnership.
During a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the afternoon of September 4, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính proposed that the two countries increase high-level exchanges, effectively promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms and coordinate well in implementing The signed agreements and agreements aim to create momentum for the two countries' relationship to become a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future.

### Singapore

In September 2013, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong paid an official visit to Vietnam from September 11–13, 2013. During the talks on September 11, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the upgrade of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and issued a Joint Statement on establishing a strategic partnership, mentioning 5 pillars of cooperation.
In 2023, the leaders of the two countries agreed to consider the possibility of studying upgrading bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future.

### Philippines

On the occasion of attending the 23rd APEC Senior Leaders' Summit and receiving the invitation of President Benigno Aquino, President Trương Tấn Sang visited the Philippines from November 17–19, 2015. On November 17, 2015, President Trương Tấn Sang and President Benigno Aquino signed a Joint Declaration on establishing a strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines.

### New Zealand

In September 2009, General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh paid an official visit to New Zealand. Senior leaders of the two countries have agreed to establish a Comprehensive Partnership.
At the online High-Level Talk on the morning of July 22, 2020 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand (1975-2020) taking place between the two governments, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern agreed to announce: officially upgrading Vietnam - New Zealand relations to a Strategic Partnership.

### Brazil

On the occasion of his visit to South America in May 2007, on May 27, General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh came to Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. On May 29, General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, after which the leaders of both sides agreed to upgrade the relationship to a comprehensive partnership.
On November 17, 2024, within the framework of attending the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro city, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính had a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two sides agreed to upgrade the Vietnam - Brazil relationship to a strategic partnership.

### Czech Republic

During the official visit to the Czech Republic from January 18-20, 2025 by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the invitation of his counterpart, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides issued a statement upgrading bilateral relations to the level of "Strategic Partnership". This also marks Vietnam as the first Southeast Asian country to be a Strategic Partner of the Czech Republic, and the Czech Republic is also the first Central Eastern European country in the EU to have a strategic relationship with Vietnam.

## Comprehensive partner

Comprehensive partnership is a normal relationship between subjects that have one or several aspects that have reached a strategic level, but there is no equality between the aspects of cooperation. Because mutual trust is not enough or the time is not yet ripe, the subjects choose to build a comprehensive partnership framework with the implication of emphasizing cooperation, continuing to strengthen trust and working towards the future.
By 2025, Vietnam has established comprehensive partnerships with 14 countries: South Africa (2004); Chile and Venezuela (2007); Argentina (2010); Ukraine (2011); Denmark (2013); Myanmar and Canada (2017); Hungary (2018); Brunei and Netherlands (2019); Mongolia (September 2024) and UAE (October 2024); Switzerland (2025). The list below is listed by year of relationship upgrade.

### South Africa

From November 22–25, 2004, Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải paid an official visit to South Africa during a trip to three countries: Algeria, Morocco, and South Africa. On this occasion, the two sides signed "Joint Declaration on Partnership for Cooperation and Development", "Agreement to establish the Intergovernmental Partnership Forum for economic, trade, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation". ", "Agreement to establish a joint trade committee" and "Cooperation agreement between the two Chambers of Commerce and Industry".

### Chile

During the period from May 25 to 27, 2007, at the invitation of President Michelle Bachelet Jeri, General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh visited Chile, and the two sides issued a high-level Joint Statement defining the framework of partnership. comprehensive work.

### Argentina

On April 16, 2010, after the official welcoming ceremony solemnly held at La Rosada Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng held talks with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Press conference After the talks, the two sides agreed to upgrade to a comprehensive partnership.

### Ukraine

In March 2011, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych paid a state visit to Vietnam. During the visit, both sides agreed on the great prospects of developing cooperative relations and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Ukraine.

### Denmark

During Crown Prince Frederik visit to Vietnam, from November 27 to December 1, 2011, at a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the two countries signed a Vietnam-Denmark Joint Declaration on establishing relations. strategic partner in the fields of climate change, environment, energy and green growth.
September 19, 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark. President Trương Tấn Sang had talks with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. The two leaders agreed to upgrade the relationship between the two countries from a strategic partnership in some areas to a comprehensive partnership.

### Myanmar

On August 24, 2017 in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng had an intimate meeting with Myanmar President Htin Kyaw. After the meeting, the two leaders held talks in which the two sides agreed to establish a framework of "Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation" between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

### Canada

During the official visit to Vietnam by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from November 8 to 10, 2017 on the occasion of attending the 2017 APEC Summit Week in Da Nang, on November 8, the two sides issued a statement "establishing establish a comprehensive partnership framework".

### Hungary

On September 10, 2018, in Budapest, Hungary, General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán agreed to raise the framework of the two countries' relationship to "Comprehensive Partnership".

### Brunei

On March 27, 2019, on the occasion of the State visit of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in a meeting with General Secretary - President Nguyễn Phú Trọng, the two sides issued a Joint Statement upgrading foreign relations. between the two parties to the level of Comprehensive Partnership.

### Netherlands

On the sidelines of the 8th Asia-Europe Summit in Brussels, Belgium, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende on October 4, 2010 signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement in Water Management and Applications. deal with climate change, bringing bilateral cooperation in this field to the highest level.
During Prime Minister Mark Rutte visit to Vietnam on June 16, 2014, Vietnam and the Netherlands officially established a Strategic Partnership mechanism on Agriculture and Food Security.
April 9, 2019 during the official visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the invitation of Vietnam. After the talks between the two leaders, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the two sides issued an announcement agreeing to build a comprehensive partnership with the desire to deepen cooperation between the two countries. wider.

### Mongolia

On September 30, 2024, on the occasion of the State visit of General Secretary - President Tô Lâm at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh from September 30 - October 1, the two sides issued a Joint Statement on the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership to orient the deep, trusting cooperation between the two countries in all fields to become increasingly in-depth, substantive, effective and comprehensive.

### United Arab Emirates

On October 28, 2024, on the occasion of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visit to the UAE at the invitation of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the two sides agreed on 6 priority focuses of cooperation between the two countries, and at the same time agreed to enhance level relationship to Comprehensive Partner. Thereby also marking the UAE as Vietnam's first Comprehensive Partner in the Middle East region.

### Switzerland

On January 21, 2025, during his visit to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with President Karin Keller-Sutter. The two sides agreed to issue a joint statement on upgrading relations to a Comprehensive Partnership framework; at the same time, committed to promoting the early completion of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA bloc.

## Field strategic partner

A field strategic partnership is a cooperation in a certain field in which both countries have mutual trust. But that cooperation is only in that field and does not extend to other industries and specialties.