Vietnam’s remarkable transformation and growing stature in the international arena were the focus of a seminar held on April 29 at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) – the largest university in Latin America.
.PNG)
The event marked the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975–2025) and 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Mexico (May 19, 1975–2025). Co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico and UNAM under the theme “Vietnam – A New Era of Development”, the seminar drew students, scholars, and researchers.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Lorena Rodriguez Leon, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, praised Vietnam as a notable model of success, not only for Asia but also for developing nations across Latin America, amid the economic volatility in the 21st century. She said that from a war-torn country, Vietnam has emerged into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, a journey deeply imbued with its national mettle, leaders' vision, and the people's enduring efforts.
Vietnam's progress represents not only economic success but also a powerful example of national reconstruction based on the values of independence, self-reliance, and proactive integration, the Mexican scholar opined.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai highlighted the history of Vietnam as an epic of the indomitability and aspiration for independence and freedom. He underscored Vietnam’s journey from a poor, backward, and war-torn country to a dynamic economy, with the scales of its economy and foreign trade among the top 40 and top 20 in the world, respectively.
Almost 80 years since its foundation and nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), he noted, Vietnam is now on the threshold of a new era – that of the nation's rise. It aims to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025 and double-digit growth in the following years to become a nation with modern industry by 2030 and a developed and high-income country by 2045.
Ambassador Hai also emphasised the steady growth of Vietnam – Mexico relations, which cover all areas from politics – diplomacy to economy – trade, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Since the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) took effect in late 2018, bilateral economic and trade ties have expanded significantly, helping the two countries' relations become increasingly effective and substantive.
Echoing the ambassador’s views, veteran diplomat and former UN official Nguyen Huu Dong held that amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Vietnam and Mexico, which share many similarities, should further enhance cooperation to stay resilient to changes.
He called on both nations to strengthen domestic production, harness local markets, reinforce their businesses' connectivity, and maximise the benefits of free trade agreements, especially the CPTPP to which both Mexico and Vietnam are parties.
As part of the seminar, the Vietnamese Embassy and UNAM inaugurated a “Vietnam Corner” and a photo exhibition at the university’s library, highlighting Vietnamese culture and development and also displaying the latest publications of the Vietnam News Agency./.
VNA
