17-1-2025 (WARSAW) Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Polish leaders and the Vietnamese community during his official visit to Poland on 16 January, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two nations.
During talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Poland reaffirmed Vietnam’s position as its primary partner in Southeast Asia. The discussion yielded several key agreements aimed at enhancing economic cooperation, with Poland pledging to boost investments in Vietnam across various sectors, including digital transformation, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
President Duda expressed strong support for the swift ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He also welcomed Vietnam’s forthcoming visa exemption for Polish citizens in 2025, viewing it as a catalyst for increased tourism and cultural exchange.
A particularly noteworthy development emerged regarding the 30,000-strong Vietnamese community in Poland. Prime Minister Chinh advocated for their recognition as an ethnic minority, which would facilitate deeper integration into Polish society.
In a separate evening meeting with the Vietnamese diaspora, the Prime Minister addressed ten key petitions from community representatives. These included matters of nationality restoration, identity documentation, and Vietnamese language education in Polish schools.
Responding to these concerns, Chinh outlined specific directives for various ministries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will review nationality regulations, whilst the Education Ministry will work towards establishing Vietnamese language programmes in Polish educational institutions.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to increase funding for Vietnamese cultural activities abroad and directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to remove barriers affecting overseas Vietnamese researchers’ participation in national development projects.
The visit was further distinguished by the presence of notable attendees, including Franciszek Zwierzynski, a veteran of the 1954 Geneva Agreement committees, and Ho Chi Dung, son of a Polish-Jewish soldier who joined the Viet Minh.
This diplomatic engagement represents a significant step forward in Vietnam-Poland relations, addressing both strategic partnership goals and the practical needs of the Vietnamese community in Poland.
The meetings underscored both nations’ commitment to strengthening their partnership whilst ensuring the welfare and integration of the Vietnamese diaspora in Polish society.
