State President Luong Cuong cabled his condolences to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a message of sympathy to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
The ambassador expressed her desire to advance cooperation between Vietnam and the Northern Province in fields where the locality has strengths, including agriculture, fisheries, livestock, tourism, trade and investment, while learning more about its specific cooperation needs.
The ambassador affirmed that, given their long-standing friendship, Vietnam and Sri Lanka have favourable conditions to expand economic, trade, and investment cooperation. The Vietnamese Embassy in Colombo stands ready to support Sri Lankan enterprises in exploring business and investment opportunities in Vietnam and in addressing any challenges that may arise during collaboration.
The event, which drew numerous female representatives from diplomatic missions, international organisations, Sri Lankan agencies, businesses, and the local Vietnamese community, honoured the role of women in society and served as a cultural diplomacy initiative to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries.
The scholarship programme funds one year of Vietnamese language studies, plus a five-year engineering curriculum. Coverage includes full tuition, housing, living expenses, insurance, and round-trip airfare. The selected majors must meet PTIT’s academic strengths and Sri Lanka’s development needs, including information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, electronics and telecommunications engineering, computer engineering, and Internet of Things (IoT).
Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam highlighted that Vietnam and Sri Lanka share a longstanding traditional friendship nurtured by similarities in history, culture, and religion. She stressed that cultural exchanges serve as a bridge bringing the people of the two countries closer, enhancing mutual understanding, and opening up practical cooperation opportunities in education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
The vibrant presence of Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Colombo is expected to deepen the friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, especially in the year marking 55 years of diplomatic relations.
As part of the National Day celebration, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka will organise a Vietnam cultural day in Ambakote and a taste-of-Vietnam food week in Colombo, featuring specialties from across the Southeast Asian country.
Over the past 55 years, Vietnam and Sri Lanka have built a solid relationship grounded in mutual respect and collaboration. Their ties originated during the struggle for independence and solidarity within the Non-Aligned Movement. Over time, the relationship has evolved from ideological support into practical cooperation across trade, education, and cultural exchange.
The three-day event, which began July 22, serves as a meaningful cultural activity to deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties (July 21, 1970–2025).
State President Luong Cuong sent greetings to President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake on July 21 on the occasion of the 55th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries (July 21, 1970 – 2025).
As the two countries share many similarities in history, geography, and culture, they have had longstanding connections even before establishing consular relations in 1964, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam told the Vietnam News Agency.
In her opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam reaffirmed the greatness of President Ho Chi Minh, an extraordinary revolutionary who dedicated his life to Vietnam’s national liberation and struggles for peace, justice, independence, and social progress around the world.
The state visit underscored the commitment of Vietnam and Sri Lanka to cherish their longstanding friendship and expand all-around cooperation.
Vietnam always values Sri Lanka’s invaluable support during its past struggle for national independence, as well as in its ongoing renewal and international integration, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Sri Lanka regards Vietnam as a source of inspiration and encouragement in its own quest for progress and recovery, said President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.
Leaders of Vietnam and Sri Lanka discussed and agreed on key directions to uplift bilateral relations to the next level during the state visit to Vietnam by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka on May 4-6.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka expressed his belief that the steadfast friendship and enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and Vietnam will pave the way for a brighter future for both nations.
The Sri Lankan President emphasised investment opportunities for Vingroup in the sectors it is strong at such as tourism, finance, and real estate, especially in Colombo – Sri Lanka’s largest city.
Noting that Vietnam and Sri Lanka still have great potential in economic, trade and investment collaboration, the two leaders vowed to take stronger measures to increase two-way trade and investment, aiming for bilateral trade turnover of 1 billion USD, and considering the possibility of negotiating and signing a bilateral free trade agreement when conditions permit.
Sharing with the President of Sri Lanka about the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, President Cuong affirmed that he was the most beautiful symbol of patriotism and revolutionary heroism of Vietnam, the shining crystallization of morality, intelligence, spirit, and conscience of the nation and the era. At the same time, he devoted his entire life to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the Vietnamese people.
Following the ceremony, the two Presidents led their delegations to hold bilateral talks, reviewing the progress of bilateral cooperation in recent years and discussing directions for future collaboration. The two leaders are also scheduled to witness the signing of cooperation agreements and hold a joint press briefing.
The Sri Lankan President thanked the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for inviting him to the Vesak celebrations and stressed the long-standing ties between the two countries, including their Buddhism-based cultural similarities.
The two leaders agreed to further strengthen trust and cohesion between the two countries and their ruling parties.
The trip is the first to Vietnam by a Sri Lankan head of state in 16 years, since 2009, and it is also the first visit to the Southeast Asian nation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka since he took office in September 2024.