Hanoi (VNA), August 22, 2025 – King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan have wrapped up their first-ever state visit to Vietnam, held from August 18 to 22 at the invitation of President Luong Cuong and his spouse.
During the five-day visit, King Jigme was accorded a state welcome and held meetings with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. The King also paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid a wreath at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs.
Both nations hailed the growing friendship between Vietnam and Bhutan and pledged to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, culture, education, technology, tourism, agriculture, environmental conservation, and multilateral engagement.
Vietnamese leaders praised King Jigme’s visionary Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, describing it as a pioneering global model for regenerative, values-based urban development, while Bhutan welcomed Vietnam’s foreign investments and expressed openness to further economic collaboration.
The two sides agreed to expedite negotiations on agreements covering double taxation avoidance, investment promotion and protection, and air services to boost economic ties and people-to-people connectivity. They also reaffirmed commitments to work together on climate change, green development, renewable energy, and eco-tourism.
Cultural and religious cooperation emerged as a central focus, with both countries pledging to expand exchanges of Buddhist scholars, monks, and practitioners, as well as promote shared heritage through performing arts, culinary traditions, and preservation of tangible and intangible culture.
Two bilateral documents were signed during the visit:
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Memorandum of Understanding on the Framework for Cooperation between the two governments.
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Memorandum of Understanding between Bhutan’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority on strengthening aviation cooperation.
King Jigme expressed admiration for Vietnam’s rapid socio-economic transformation and conveyed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the government and people of Vietnam. He also invited Vietnamese leaders to visit Bhutan at a mutually convenient time.
The state visit marks a new chapter in Bhutan-Vietnam relations, opening the door for greater collaboration in diplomacy, trade, culture, and sustainable development.