On the evening of July 14, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Embassy of Chile in Vietnam, held a ceremony commemorating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Chile (1971–2026), underscoring the enduring friendship and expanding cooperation between the two nations.

As part of the event, delegates toured a photo exhibition showcasing milestones in the 55-year relationship. Through archival photographs and historical materials, the exhibition traced the evolution of bilateral ties, from high-level visits and economic cooperation projects to cultural, artistic and people-to-people exchanges.

Addressing the ceremony, Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado, Ambassador of Chile to Vietnam, noted that Chile was the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

According to the ambassador, the two countries have built a mature, trusted and increasingly strategic relationship over more than half a century, continually adapting to the challenges and opportunities of each stage of development.

In the economic sphere, Vietnam is now one of Chile's leading trading partners in Southeast Asia, while Chile serves as one of Vietnam's key partners in Latin America. Bilateral trade has maintained steady growth, supported by complementary trade structures and diversified product portfolios.

The ambassador said this momentum has been reinforced by key economic integration frameworks, including the Vietnam–Chile Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2014, and both countries' participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Bilateral relations have also continued to strengthen since Vietnam and Chile elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2007. High-level exchanges in recent years have helped advance political dialogue, open new areas of cooperation and reaffirm both countries' commitment to building a relationship based on trust, mutual respect and shared development.

The ambassador also highlighted significant opportunities for the two economies to further diversify bilateral trade and encourage new investment flows that would benefit both countries.

"Looking back on 55 years of our shared history, we can proudly say that the relationship between Chile and Vietnam has been built on a solid foundation of friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation," she said.

Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado also expressed hope that the friendship between the people of Vietnam and Chile would continue to deepen, providing a strong foundation for future generations to build an even closer, more dynamic and more effective bilateral partnership.

Ho Giap