KATHMANDU: The Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan, held a formal courtesy meeting with Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel today at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas.

The high-level engagement marks a significant step in strengthening relations between the two nations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

During the meeting, President Paudel emphasized the considerable potential for deepening bilateral economic relations through enhanced collaboration in trade, tourism, investment, and technology transfer. He underscored that the Nepali government is keen to accelerate this cooperation.

According to the President’s Press Advisor, Kiran Pokharel, President Paudel also expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s economic dynamism, which has made it one of the world’s most vibrant economies.

Paudel highlighted Nepal’s current focus on achieving socio-economic transformation by attracting investment in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and hydropower. He also noted that Buddhism serves as a profound cultural and spiritual bridge between the people of both nations, expressing delight that many Vietnamese citizens consider Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, a sacred pilgrimage site.

In her remarks, Vice President Xuan addressed Nepal’s aspiration to become a middle-income country by 2030 and Vietnam’s goal of becoming a high-income nation by 2045. She stressed the importance of establishing a comprehensive framework for cooperation even before 2030 to align the two countries’ development trajectories.

Vice President Xuan further advocated for increased collaboration in the areas of culture, sports, and tourism. She commended Nepal for its proactive role in international peace efforts and its commitment to combating climate change.