On the occasion of Mexican Independence Day on September 16, the Ambassador of Mexico Sara Valdés Bolaño reflects on her country’s history and on relations with Việt Nam.

This article is dedicated to the victims of the earthquake that hit southern Mexico on September 7. As we say, Mexico is much greater than its problems, and all efforts are being made by our society and authorities to restore the livelihoods of those affected by this natural disaster. 

On the 207th anniversary of our independence, the world’s 15th-largest economy remains fully committed to rules-based free trade, not for trade’s sake, but rather as a means for sustainable and inclusive development. Mexico remains a top FDI destination worldwide, with US$26.7 billion in 2016. It ranks second in economic openness among G20 countries.

This year also marks the 42nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Việt Nam. During more than four decades, we have built a relationship based on mutual respect and friendship, as well as shared striving for international peace and security. Strong similarities and common interests are the setting for closer links in the upcoming years.

Award-winning: The Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City has been recognized as one of the top 5 best museums in the world by the Traveler’s Choice Awards. It displays the ancestral cultures of Mexico.

Mexico is Việt Nam’s third-largest trading partner in Latin America while Việt Nam is the eighth-largest for Mexico in Asia. Last year, bilateral trade reached over $5 billion, a 30 per cent increase compared to 2015. Both countries are top manufacturing destinations thanks to our young and skilled workforces. We must aim to increase ties through participation in global value chains, complementing each other. As Việt Nam remains one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, bilateral trade and investment opportunities are expected to thrive in the future.

Mexico and Việt Nam will continue to work jointly in favour of open markets and free trade. At multilateral fora we are committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development as well as trade and investment liberalisation as the best means to improve the wellbeing of our peoples. As members of the World Trade Organisation, both countries understand the importance of ensuring a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory multilateral trading system.

Mutual benefits: Mexico and Việt Nam are two emerging economies rich in natural resources, traditions, culture, and history.

Mexico will continue to support Việt Nam as host of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in advancing deeper regional integration; promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; strengthening the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME); and supporting technical and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The participation of President Enrique Peña Nieto at the APEC Leaders and Business Summit in Đà Nẵng in November will reaffirm the cooperative and positive nature of the relationship between our countries.

The potential for bilateral cooperation is also enhanced thanks to the subscription of legal instruments on geographical indications and between state news agencies during the last year. Meanwhile, the relevant authorities began negotiations on a bilateral agreement to avoid double taxation.

People to people exchanges ensure mutual understanding and maintain friendly relations between our countries. Every year, more Vietnamese and Mexican tourists fall in love with each other’s natural and cultural heritage, traditions, and history. Last year, Mexico received a record 35 million tourists (making it the eighth most popular tourist destination worldwide). Nearly 4,000 of them were Vietnamese; while 9,465 Mexicans visited Việt Nam.

Delicious: Traditional Mexican gastronomy is recognized as a cultural treasure by UNESCO. In 2010 it was designated Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In the educational and cultural fields, there is ample room to increase the number of young people studying abroad between our countries. I would like to encourage more Vietnamese graduates to apply for Mexican government merit grants for international students to study at Mexican institutions.

I remain convinced that Mexico and Việt Nam’s enduring friendship and shared commitment to promote peace and prosperity for our peoples and for the world will continue to uphold joint efforts in raising our relationship to new heights in the coming years.— VNS