Vietnam, Poland enter new era of development

Vietnam, Poland enter new era of development

Vietnam and Poland are entering a new period of bilateral ties. Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek spoke with VIR’s Minh Tung about the journey and future prospects.

How have bilateral ties between Vietnam and Poland developed since the two countries entered diplomatic relations in 1950?

The 75-year long diplomatic relationship between Poland and Vietnam is deeply rooted in our traditional friendship, mutual respect, and support in times of need.

Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek. Photo: The Embassy of Poland in Hanoi

Poland is famous for the excellence of its monument conservation school, with Polish experts active in the research, conservation, and preservation of the most important objects of cultural heritage around the world. Among them, Polish architect Kazimierz Kwiatkowski has contributed significantly to the preservation of Vietnam's cultural landmarks, including the ancient town of Hoi An, the My Son Sanctuary, and the Complex of Hue Monuments. His efforts were instrumental in securing UNESCO World Heritage status for these sites. Now, his statue is a centrepiece in one of the squares of old Hoi An.

Educational exchange has also been a vital aspect of our relationship. Poland has for years trained thousands of Vietnamese students and scientists in the areas crucial for the development of Vietnamese science, engineering, geology, shipbuilding, and the economy. Upon return to Vietnam, they have occupied key positions in government, industry, and academia.

Currently, young generations of Vietnamese are studying in Poland, which has emerged as one of the most attractive, dynamic, and safe places to study, offering a wide range of academic opportunities.

The health sector is one of the traditional areas of cooperation between Poland and Vietnam. The Vietnam-Poland Friendship Hospital has been a symbol of the Polish-Vietnamese friendship for many years, built in Vinh City in 1963 with the aid of the government of Poland. It is now called Nghe An General Friendship Hospital.

The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the strength of our bilateral partnership. Poland provided Vietnam with 1.4 million vaccine doses and essential medical equipment. The Vietnamese community in Poland contributed by supplying protective equipment and medical supplies. Vietnamese restaurants provided free meals for doctors and nurses at hospitals in Warsaw and other cities.

The Vietnamese community in Poland, numbering tens of thousands, serves as a living bridge between our nations. This community has integrated well into Polish society. Vietnamese restaurants are among the most popular in Warsaw, and many Poles visit Vietnamese markets in search of fresh tofu, herbs, and noodles. Artists, designers, and academics of Vietnamese origin play an increasingly important role in bringing our two countries together.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Polish President Andrzej Duda as part of his official visit to Poland in January. Photo: VGP

Similarly, many Poles have established lives and businesses in Vietnam, further strengthening our people-to-people connections.

How has the recent Vietnam-Poland joint statement on enhancing bilateral relations increased the bilateral trade and investment ties?

During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Poland in January, both sides emphasized that trade cooperation is a key part of our relationship. They set a goal of working towards balancing trade. By doing so, we hope to make full use of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, to benefit both the European and Vietnamese economies.

Computers and electronic equipment are among Vietnam’s key export items to the Polish market

According to Statistics Poland, in 2024 Poland and Vietnam's trade volume reached $6.1 billion, of which $440 million was Polish exports, representing a 24% on-year decrease. This places the current imbalance at a ratio of 1:12 in favour of Vietnam. This is an ambitious goal that we hope to achieve in a balanced way, based on the principles of openness and a level playing field. The joint statement issued by the two prime ministers in Warsaw should result in the formulation of a roadmap enabling Polish companies to establish stronger economic and trade partnerships with Vietnamese consumers and enterprises.

Regarding education cooperation, how has the bilateral relationship expanded in this area, and what is the role of connections like the Vietnam-Poland High School in this partnership?

Education has long been a backbone of the Poland–Vietnam relationship, serving as both a foundation for bilateral cooperation and a catalyst for deepening people-to-people ties.

An intergovernmental agreement on educational cooperation signed in 2017 further solidified our academic partnership. It allows for annual reciprocal exchanges of 20 students, fully covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses across all academic levels, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral courses. There are advanced preparations ongoing to soon increase the number of scholarships to 50 per year.

In addition, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) provides a growing number of scholarships, fellowships, and summer school opportunities for Vietnamese students and researchers, and these efforts are supported by vibrant cooperation between universities on a bilateral level.

The reintroduction of Polish language studies at Hanoi University in 2018, after a 30-year break, marked a symbolic and practical renewal of cultural and academic engagement. This initiative, supported by NAWA, revives linguistic ties and opens new avenues for Vietnamese professionals as Polish businesses expand their footprint in Vietnam. Currently, the Polish course by NAWA is still taught at Hanoi University (HANU), open for not only HANU students, but anyone who is interested in learning Polish.

There is room for development, though. Vietnam is too important to Poland. In many countries across the globe, including in Asia, Polish studies are thriving, attracting yearly dozens of students ready to discover the secrets and intricacies of the Polish language and culture.

Students of the Vietnam-Poland High School had a talk with Joanna Skoczek in Hanoi in late May. Photo: The Vietnam-Poland High School

The Vietnam-Poland High School in Hanoi stands as a proud symbol of our educational and cultural friendship. Beyond its name, the school embodies the values of bilateral cooperation and serves as a centre for young minds interested in both countries’ cultures.

In recent years, the school has benefited from several Polish-funded projects aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and educational quality. In collaboration with ADAMED Pharma S.A., the owner of the pharmaceutical producer Davipharm and Poland’s largest investor in Vietnam, the Embassy of Poland in Hanoi has facilitated the donation of digital screens, computers, and learning resources.

Notably, the ADAMED SmartUP programme provides 100 students annually with English courses and science workshops led by Polish experts, and the best students are sent to Poland to attend a science camp run by ADAMED.

Poland has announced its readiness to expedite the ratification process of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). How far has it gone?

In order for the EVIPA to come into force, it requires the ratification of all European Union member states. Currently, 19 out of 27 states have ratified the agreement. Poland has already initiated the EVIPA ratification process. I can only refer to the words of the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk from January this year: “I can assure you that Poland won’t be the last country to ratify the EVIPA.”

The European Union is one of the world's most open and investment-friendly economies. I am convinced that, once the EVIPA comes into force, it will pave the way for a strong economic presence of European businesses in Vietnam and accelerate our common path towards prosperity and sustainable development.

VIR