Bilateral relations
Canada established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973, opening an Embassy in Hanoi in 1994 and a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in 1995. Our countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023. In 2017, a Canada-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership was formally announced by both countries. The partnership identifies a number of areas for cooperation; namely: political and diplomatic; trade and investment; development cooperation; defence and security; cultural and academic exchange; science, technology and innovation; and people-to-people ties.
In Vietnam, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada in Hanoi. Canada is also represented by a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. In Canada, Vietnam is represented by the Embassy of Vietnam and a Trade Office in Ottawa, and a Consulate General in Vancouver.
Trade relations
Vietnam has been Canada’s largest trading partner in the ASEAN region since 2015. In 2021, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Vietnam totaled $10.5 billion, up from $8.9 billion in 2020, comprised mainly of imports from Vietnam (approximately 92% of the total). Canada’s merchandise exports to Vietnam in 2021 was valued at approximately $655 million down from $738 million in 2020.
The priority areas in Vietnam for Canadian commercial interests are agriculture and agri-food, education, information and communication technologies, clean technology, aerospace, and life sciences.
Canada-Vietnam Joint Economic Committee (JEC)
Canada is committed to pursuing new opportunities to deepen trade and economic cooperation with Vietnam. During Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to Vietnam in November 2017, the Canada-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership was established by both Prime Ministers.
The Comprehensive Partnership encompasses diplomatic and political issues, trade and investment, development cooperation, defence and security, cultural and academic exchange, science and technology, and people-to-people ties.
On January 10, 2022, Canada and Vietnam established the Canada-Vietnam Joint Economic Committee (JEC). The JEC was signed by Mrs. Sara Wilshaw, Acting Deputy Minister of International Trade at Global Affairs Canada, and Mr. Do Thang Hai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The signing was witnessed by the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development and His Excellency Nguyễn Hồng Diên, Minister of Industry of Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The Canada-Vietnam Joint Economic Committee (JEC) is a non-legally binding mechanism dedicated to advancing trade and economic cooperation between Canada and Vietnam. This mechanism, to be co-chaired at the Deputy Minister level, will provide an ongoing opportunity to discuss current and emerging trade and commercial issues. The JEC is a key contribution to stronger economic and trade ties between Canada and Vietnam, as part of the Comprehensive Partnership.
Vietnam has been a CPTPP partner since January 2019 and is a strategic economic partner that plays an important role in advancing Canada’s trade diversification efforts in the region.
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Development
Canada has been a trusted partner in Vietnam’s development for more than 30 years. Since 1990, Canada has contributed approximately $1.7 billion in international assistance to support Vietnam’s development and poverty reduction efforts, closely aligned to Vietnam’s strategic priorities. Canada and Vietnam’s strong partnership on development cooperation has produced positive results on poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth, and strengthened people-to-people links.
Canada’s development objective in Vietnam is to reduce poverty and inequality by supporting growth that works for everyone, and gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Through our work, we are supporting more inclusive policy and legislative development, entrepreneurship and small and medium sized enterprises, agricultural value chain development, and greater access to gender-responsive financial and business development services.
