Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Egypt and Vietnam announce comprehensive partnership
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. To Lam, to Cairo’s Al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace today in a ceremony marked by military honors and the playing of both nations’ national anthems.
The official visit, hailed as an important step forward in the relationship between Egypt and Vietnam, included a closed-door meeting between the two presidents followed by extensive discussions between official delegations from both countries.
The talks focused on ways to build on the current momentum in bilateral relations and to deepen cooperation, particularly across the political, economic, trade, investment, educational, and tourism sectors.
Speaking at a press conference following their discussions, President El-Sisi warmly welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart and his delegation to Egypt, congratulating President To Lam on his recent appointment.
He stressed the importance of the visit as a milestone in the decades-long partnership between the two countries—one that has always been characterized by close collaboration and shared objectives both regionally and internationally.
During the visit, the two sides signed memorandums of understanding in the fields of local development and economic growth, signaling a commitment to elevating ties to a "comprehensive partnership."
President El-Sisi and President To Lam agreed to further cooperation in vital fields such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade, investment, infrastructure, information technology, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
"Our dialogue confirmed the enormous potential still untapped in our relationship," President El-Sisi said, noting Egypt’s position as a gateway for Vietnam to the Middle East and Africa, and Vietnam’s role as a bridge to Southeast Asian markets for Egyptian goods and businesses.
The talks also highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people and cultural links, enhancing education opportunities—including scholarships for Vietnamese students at Egyptian universities—and boosting bilateral tourism.
On regional issues, President El-Sisi briefed his guest on the crisis in Gaza and the broader situation in the Middle East. He reaffirmed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reduce tensions, facilitate humanitarian aid, and support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the creation of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Addressing persistent misconceptions about the Rafah crossing, President El-Sisi emphasized that Egypt has consistently facilitated humanitarian access to Gaza and has been a leading contributor of aid. He insisted that the crossing has never been closed by Egypt during the current crisis, while expressing frustration at claims to the contrary and underscoring Egypt’s refusal to allow the displacement of Palestinians from their land.
"In every situation, Egypt’s stance remains clear: we are committed to delivering humanitarian assistance to our Palestinian brothers and to working toward peace in our region. But we will never be a party to the forced displacement of the Palestinian people," he said.
The President concluded by underscoring Egypt’s ongoing commitment to play a positive and peaceful role in resolving regional conflicts, continuing to call on the international community to act responsibly and humanely.
This historic visit and the agreements signed signal a new chapter of partnership and friendship between Egypt and Vietnam, promising benefits for both nations and their people in the years ahead.