Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh: Historical turning point opens up new cooperation prospects for Vietnam and Senegal

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria and Senegal Tran Quoc Khanh highlighted the significance of the official visit to Senegal by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man - the highest-level visit ever in nearly 60 years of bilateral relations.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria and Senegal Tran Quoc Khanh. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria)

Ahead of the official visit to Senegal by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his wife along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria and Senegal Tran Quoc Khanh gave an interview to The Gioi Va Viet Nam Newspaper, highlighting the historical significance of the visit as well as the potential for bilateral cooperation in the coming time.

How does the Ambassador assess the significance of the official visit to Senegal by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his wife along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation? What are the Ambassador's expectations for this special milestone in bilateral relations?

The official visit to Senegal by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation is of great significance and historical significance. This is the highest-level visit ever in nearly 60 years of relations between the two countries. At the same time, the visit takes place at a very special time for both Vietnam and Senegal, marking a turning point in bilateral relations.

As for Senegal, this country is considered one of the most dynamically developing economies in the West African region. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in 2025, Senegal could achieve a growth rate of 8.3%, the highest in the region. Senegal has also just completed the process of perfecting its political apparatus, after successfully organizing the presidential election (March 2024), forming a government and holding early parliamentary elections (November 2024).

On the Vietnamese side, we have also just successfully carried out a very meaningful task: converting the government model from three levels to two levels, officially taking effect from July 1, 2025.

In that context, the visit is expected to open up new cooperation prospects, promote friendly relations and deepen cooperation between the two countries, while affirming Vietnam's policy of strengthening cooperation with African countries.

During the visit, in addition to the focus on enhancing cooperation between the two legislative bodies, members of the Vietnamese delegation, including many leaders of the Government, ministries, localities and businesses, will also directly discuss with the Senegalese side on measures to promote cooperation in many fields such as trade, agriculture, science, technology, investment and people-to-people exchange.

In particular, cooperation within the framework of multilateral organizations of which both countries are members is also a noteworthy direction. Recently, Senegal has actively supported Vietnam in nominating the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac landscape to become a World Heritage Site at the 47th session of UNESCO. This is a vivid demonstration of the effective coordination between the two countries in the international arena and will also be a content of cooperation that will be focused on and further strengthened in the coming time.

The delegation led by Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh and President of the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF) Mai Huu Tin with USV leaders at the opening ceremony of the final round of the 2025 Vietnam Ambassador's Cup Vovinam Tournament in Dakar, Senegal, May 2025. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria)

Senegal is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic and Monetary Union of West African States (UEMOA). According to the Ambassador, what should Vietnam do to strengthen cooperation with the potential West African region through Senegal? What measures and plans has the Embassy implemented to promote economic, trade and investment between the two countries?

Senegal is a key player in West Africa. It has a rapidly growing economy, an open trade policy and is a founding member of the UEMOA – an influential regional economic community.

In addition, Senegal is also one of the leading countries in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With such characteristics, Senegal can completely play the role of a gateway for Vietnamese goods, services and businesses to penetrate deeper into the West African market in particular and Africa in general.

To promote relations with Senegal and through Senegal with other West African and African countries, we need to increase the exchange of high-level delegations and business delegations, especially investment and trade promotion delegations, to learn about the market, establish direct connection channels with local enterprises; select a number of cooperation areas in which Vietnam has strengths and West Africa has needs to prioritize promotion, such as agriculture, food processing, consumer goods, healthcare, and education.

Besides, it is also necessary to maximize the valuable assets of traditional friendship and affection that the Senegalese people have for the Vietnamese people and Vietnamese culture.

In recent times, the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria and Senegal has periodically sent delegations to Senegal to directly meet and understand the needs of Senegal, and at the same time coordinate with the Senegalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to organize many activities to promote products and connect businesses online. The Embassy's Trade Office also regularly provides information and supports Vietnamese businesses in understanding the market, legal issues, and finding reliable partners in Senegal and West Africa.

In the coming time, in order to concretize the cooperation directions approved by senior leaders, in parallel with regularly providing two-way updates on cooperation opportunities, the Embassy will strengthen consultation so that relevant ministries, branches and localities can choose appropriate priority areas of cooperation and soon implement them in practice.

In addition, the Embassy will also carry out economic diplomacy activities in a direction that smoothly combines with cultural connotations, thereby creating a greater spread for the image and products of Vietnam.

We understand that the road ahead is long and full of difficulties due to geographical distance, differences in technical standards, international payment systems or infrastructure... but I believe that with high political determination, together with the support of ministries, sectors and business communities of the two countries, Vietnam and Senegal can completely become an economic bridge and effective cooperation not only on the bilateral level but also at the sub-regional and regional levels.

A corner of the capital Dakar, Senegal. (Source: Orion M)

In the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Senegal, the fields of culture, sports and community are always a solid and lasting bridge. Could you share the efforts of the Embassy to promote and enhance the friendship between the two countries through these fields?

With a sense of responsibility and respect for the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Senegal, we always strive to find suitable ways to maintain and spread the good feelings that the people of the two countries have for each other, in which traditional martial arts and community are two very effective channels.

Senegal is one of the first countries in Africa to welcome and develop Vovinam, with the movement spreading more and more, especially among the youth. Currently, there are about 3,000 people practicing Vovinam in clubs across Senegal. The Embassy has always accompanied and supported this movement.

Most recently, in early July 2025, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Vovinam's introduction to Senegal, we coordinated with the World Vovinam Federation to sponsor the "Vietnam Ambassador's Cup" Tournament in Dakar. This is not only a sporting event, but also an opportunity to widely spread the message of friendship, honoring the common values of spirit, will and mutual respect between the two peoples.

The Vietnamese/Vietnamese-origin community in Senegal is not large, only about 2,000 people, the 3rd and 4th generation of Vietnamese-Senegalese families who settled in Senegal since the 1960s, but they are very united, loving, supportive of each other and especially very attached to Vietnamese culture and always turn towards the Fatherland.

The Embassy has regularly provided books and newspapers, supported the activities of Kim Hoi - a Vietnamese association recognized by the Senegalese government; encouraged and motivated the community to maintain its traditional identity, and acted as "cultural ambassadors" in the host country.

What about this West African country impressed the Ambassador the most?

There are many things about Senegal that have left a deep impression on me, but if I had to choose one thing that impressed me the most, it would be the Senegalese people with their warmth, hospitality, and the very typical “Teranga” spirit.

"Teranga" is not simply hospitality, but a philosophy of life that values tolerance, sharing, and welcoming others as family. For a diplomat from Vietnam, the country also values humanity and community cohesion, which creates a very clear sense of closeness and harmony.

I also clearly feel the vitality, dynamism and cultural pride of the Senegalese people. From music, art, sports, to religious life, cuisine... everything exudes a very unique, optimistic identity.

These good impressions are also a source of encouragement for the Embassy's staff to have more motivation to do better in their role as a bridge between the two countries in all fields.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

"The official visit to Senegal by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to open up new cooperation prospects, promote friendly relations and deepen cooperation between the two countries, while affirming Vietnam's policy of strengthening cooperation with African countries." (Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/daily-su-tran-quoc-khanh-buoc-ngoat-lich-su-mo-ra-nhung-trien-vong-hop-tac-moi-cho-viet-nam-va-senegal-321671.html