The visit takes place in the context of a fine development of bilateral ties. The two countries have frequently exchanged delegations at all levels. Last year, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai visited Myanmar in June, the Myanmar Minister of Livestock and Fisheries visited Vietnam in August and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Myanmar visited Vietnam in November. Most recent was Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Myanmar in December, after attending the Greater Mekong Sub-region summit. The visit opened a new page in the bilateral ties. "In a meeting with the Prime Minister, President Sein said: “The Prime Minister was our guest when you visited us for the first time. The second time, you were my friend. And on this third visit, we are members of a family”. This statement reflects the mutual trust between the senior leaders of the two countries. President Sein said Vietnam is Myanmar’s friend and number one reliable partner in Southeast Asia", said Pham Quang Vinh, the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister.

Bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment has grown steadily. Vietnam has opened direct flights between Hanoi and HCM City and Yangon city, which also houses branch offices of Vietnam Airlines, the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, the Myanmar Development and Investment Company, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group and the Viettel Group. Two-way trade turnover totalled nearly 170 million USD last year, up 10% percent from the previous year. But, this figure is modest compared to the countries’ potential. , according to Le Quang Lan, Deputy Head of the Trade Policy Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. "Trade turnover between Vietnam and Myanmar is low compared with the total trade value of ASEAN. We have been seeking ways to increase bilateral and regional trade. We have focused on boosting exchanges of information, business delegations and investment and trade opportunities", Mr. Lan said.

At a recent meeting of the Joint Committee for Economic, Cultural and Scientific and Technological Cooperation, the two sides discussed ways to boost cooperation in agro forestry, aquaculture, transportation, energy, information, health care, culture, education, sports and tourism. During Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Myanmar last December, the two leaders agreed to prioritize economic, trade and investment cooperation to bring two way trade to 500 billion USD by 2015. Both sides agreed to cooperate in regional and international forums and work together with other ASEAN member countries to build a united and strong ASEAN Community by 2015. President Sein’s visit to Vietnam reiterated the two countries’ determination to promote bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. "Over the past year, the two countries have set up frameworks and backgrounds for bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, politics, external relations and national security. The visit will create an opportunity for both sides to develop these plans", said Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh

The Myanmar President’s visit is expected to create new momentum for bilateral ties, reflecting the prospects of effective and practical cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar.

Anh Huyen