A TV programme was produced and aired in Vietnam to commemorate the 30th anniversary diplomatic relations, highlighting the key achievements of the EU-Vietnam cooperation.

The 27-minute clip was aired on Vietnam Television (VTV) on 27 November 2020, a day prior to the commemorative date. It presented the evolution of the EU and Vietnam, as well as their foreign policy, and how their mutual interests converged and expanded over the past 30 years.

Representatives from various sectors discussed different aspects of EU-Vietnam relations. Looking back at the past three decades, which saw the EU become Vietnam’s second largest export market and third largest trading partner, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh said, ‘The European Union plays a significant role in the political, economic and trade relations with Vietnam, and Vietnam also plays an increasingly important role to the European Union, and to the European's policy in the local region and Asia-Pacific region.’

Amongst the milestones in EU-Vietnam ties were the Framework Participation Agreement and EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, said EU High Representative and European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell. ‘We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of our relations in unprecedented times, where COVID-19 has transformed our lives and the global landscape. This calls for further strengthening our partnership on a bilateral and multilateral level. We must uphold the international rules-based order and promote peace and prosperity through a sustainable recovery.’

About 793 280 people in Vietnam watched the TV programme, while uploads on digital platforms contributed another 24 000 views.

Watch the teaser here and the programme here.