As we commemorate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Morocco, a milestone that dates back to March 27, 1961, Ambassador Le Kim Quy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Kingdom of Morocco shared insights with a VNA reporter regarding the remarkable evolution of ties between the two nations. The relationship, which is rooted in historical connections formed during the struggle against colonialism, has transitioned into a new and promising phase characterized by comprehensive collaboration across various sectors.
The official diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Morocco were solidified 65 years ago, yet connections date back to the 1940s and 1950s when the just struggle of the Vietnamese people against French colonial rule inspired many Moroccan soldiers, led by President Ho Chi Minh. These soldiers chose to join Vietnam’s fight for national independence, thereby fostering a bond between the two nations that would flourish over the decades.
According to Ambassador Le Kim Quy, the friendship between Vietnam and Morocco, which has blossomed from shared historical narratives, has been continuously strengthened over the past 65 years in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation for peace, development, and mutual prosperity within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement. This enduring friendship serves as a testament to the strength and significance of South-South cooperation, contributing positively to the development processes of both nations.
In terms of political and diplomatic relations, Vietnam and Morocco enjoy a robust partnership, actively exchanging delegations since 2004, including high-ranking officials. Numerous reciprocal visits by government and parliamentary representatives have taken place, fostering a trustful dialogue enhanced by various cooperation mechanisms such as government committees, political consultations, and the sub-committee on trade and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and Morocco.
Economically, while the bilateral trade turnover remains modest compared to its potential, it has shown remarkable growth, tripling from $108.6 million in 2013 to over $300 million in 2021, with projections of reaching approximately $380 million by 2024. Consequently, Vietnam is set to become Morocco’s second-largest trading partner in the ASEAN region by 2025, while Morocco will rank as Vietnam's ninth-largest trading partner in Africa.
Education and training are focal points of bilateral cooperation. Since 2011, both countries have committed to offering ten scholarships annually to students from each other’s nation. To date, over 60 Vietnamese students have studied in Morocco under scholarships from both governments, specializing in Arabic language, economics, architecture, and pharmacy.
People-to-people relations are actively promoted through friendship associations between the two nations. A significant cooperation agreement was signed in March 2019 between Da Nang and Tangier, while the Vietnamese gate in Kenitra, inaugurated in November 2022, stands as a new symbol of solidarity connecting generations of people from both countries.
The traditional Vietnamese martial arts have also flourished in Morocco, contributing to the spread of Vietnam's cultural identity and strengthening the bond between the two nations. Vietnam views Morocco as one of its key partners in Africa and seeks to expand collaboration in line with the potential of both countries. The 65th anniversary marks the beginning of a new phase in bilateral cooperation, characterized by increased dynamism, diversification, and long-term perspectives.
On the parliamentary front, Ambassador Le Kim Quy noted that parliamentary diplomacy has been a crucial pillar in the 65-year journey of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, closely linked to many significant milestones in their bilateral relations. The mutual visits between the chairs of the parliaments of both countries are among the most dynamic and varied exchanges. The Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives has visited Vietnam at least three times— in 2015, 2017, and 2025— while on the Vietnamese side, the visit by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Manh marks the third visit of a Vietnamese National Assembly President to Morocco since 2005.
Morocco was the first African country with which Vietnam signed a parliamentary cooperation agreement in 2017. In 2020, during the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) held under Vietnamese chairmanship, the Moroccan House of Representatives became the first African parliament to receive observer status in AIPA, demonstrating Vietnam's confidence in Morocco and its appreciation for the latter's role in the region.
The official visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Morocco, the first by a high-ranking Vietnamese politician since 2019, marked a significant milestone in parliamentary cooperation between the two nations. This visit not only deepened parliamentary diplomacy but also showcased the commitment to strengthen and expand the friendly relations and collaboration between Vietnam and Morocco, providing a robust impetus for development in various sectors including economy, trade, investment, science and technology, justice, tourism, education, and training, thus serving the practical interests of both peoples.
Regarding the potential for cooperation, the Ambassador stated that both countries have promising perspectives for collaboration in numerous key areas. Vietnam, with its market of 104 million consumers, offers a complementary and non-competing trade structure with Morocco that opens significant export opportunities for both sides. Vietnam aims to export more agricultural products such as tea, coffee, cashews, spices, and seafood, alongside telephones, electronics, and other manufactured goods. Conversely, Vietnam is interested in importing fertilizers, plastics, minerals, and specific equipment from Morocco. Additionally, Vietnam could serve as a gateway for Morocco to ASEAN and Asia, while Morocco is prepared to facilitate Vietnam's access to the vast African market.
In the Halal industry, Morocco is recognized as a leading country in certification standards. Cooperation in this area began with the participation of the head of the Moroccan Institute for Standardization (IMANOR) at the first international Halal conference in October 2024 in Hanoi, and was further institutionalized in the protocol of the second session of the sub-committee on industrial and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Morocco in November 2024. This collaboration is expected to strengthen through the exchange of information and experiences in Halal management and certification, promoting Halal production and distribution, as well as facilitating trade and investment activities related to Halal products and services in both nations.
Education remains a cornerstone of the partnership. Since 2011, each country has awarded ten scholarships annually. Cooperation agreements have also been signed between universities, such as between the Vietnam National University in Hanoi, the Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, and Mohammed V University in Rabat. The prospect of upgrading the memorandum of understanding for collaboration in higher education, signed in December 2021 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, will further strengthen opportunities for continued collaboration.
Renewable energy is another promising area for cooperation, with Morocco being a leader in the energy transition within Africa. Vietnamese businesses are increasingly interested in exploring cooperation and investment opportunities in this sector in Morocco. The two countries also have potential for collaboration in banking, mining, tourism, infrastructure development, and the establishment of financial centers—areas in which Morocco holds a leading role in Africa.
Regarding the Vietnamese community in Morocco, Ambassador Le Kim Quy shared that this community has a unique history, primarily consisting of families of Vietnamese women who married Moroccan soldiers part of the French expeditionary army. They chose to stand with justice before 1954 and supported the resistance of the Vietnamese people against French colonialism. Later, these individuals settled in Vietnam, built careers, started families, and returned to their homeland Morocco in 1972. Today, the community is predominantly composed of people of mixed Vietnamese and Moroccan descent, representing the second, third, and fourth generations of this historical connection.
The Vietnamese diaspora in Morocco is characterized by a long tradition of solidarity, a strong will to succeed, and excellent integration into local society. Despite being far from their homeland for an extended period, this community remains closely connected to its roots and the culture of its motherland, nurturing a deep love for Vietnam. They have actively engaged in numerous activities over the past, present, and future to strengthen unity and preserve Vietnamese cultural identity.
This community is an inseparable part of national unity, serving not only as witnesses to history but also as a bridge fostering friendships and advancing multifaceted cooperation, ultimately portraying Vietnam as an identity-rich, dynamic, innovative, and integrated nation. The community has also demonstrated a spirit of mutual support and solidarity, focusing on their country and helping compatriots cope with the impacts of natural disasters. They also provided constructive and sincere feedback on drafts of documents for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Despite its modest size, the community contributes to promoting trade and investment and raising awareness of Vietnamese brands in the local market. They regularly collaborate with the embassy to support cultural and artistic activities in Morocco, thereby enhancing Vietnam's reputation in the international community. Consequently, fostering national unity and nurturing the strength of the Vietnamese diaspora in Morocco is regarded as a top priority and key mission of the embassy, ensuring that the diaspora continues to accompany, support, and collaborate with people both domestically and abroad to contribute to the realization of strategic goals, leading Vietnam steadily into a new era.
On this momentous occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Ambassador expressed that this milestone is a special opportunity to honor the historical relationship and reaffirm the collective determination to forge an even brighter future of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and nations. Vietnam and Morocco share many commonalities: significant geopolitical positions, a long-standing cultural tradition, political stability, and both are dynamic emerging countries deeply integrated into the international community with strong ambitions and determination to develop robustly.
In this context, the peoples of both countries, especially the younger generation, must carry forward the tradition of friendship built over the past 65 years while injecting new dynamism and a new future into the cooperative relationship between the two nations in the next phase. Therefore, it is essential for the people of both countries, including the younger generation, to sharpen their awareness of the rich history and significance of their friendly and cooperative relations; to build upon this solid foundation to create concrete opportunities and outcomes for collaboration, ensuring that the relationships between Vietnam and Morocco continue to develop well, effectively, and sustainably.
In addition to promoting economic cooperation, the younger generation must also deepen cultural cooperation and exchange between the peoples. The Ambassador is confident that future generations of both countries—Vietnamese, Moroccans, and Moroccans of Vietnamese descent—will preserve the legacy of 65 years of relations while also forging new bridges of cooperation. Expanding cooperation programs in education and training, strengthening cultural exchanges, promoting traditional Vietnamese martial arts, and enhancing the role of the local Vietnamese community will contribute to achieving these goals.
Generations of Vietnamese and Moroccans have established "Gates of Remembrance" in their respective countries. The Ambassador expressed confidence that today's generation, especially the younger generations of both nations, will collaboratively build new gates towards the future—for the benefit of solidarity, friendship, cooperation, and development between the two countries.
As reported by vietnam.vn.
