Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Panama in Việt Nam Eligio Salas III wrote to Việt Nam News on Panama's National Day: 

Panama will always continue to cooperate in the bilateral and multilateral arena with Việt Nam with the aim of strengthening our common ties and advance our shared values.

On behalf of the government of the Republic of Panama, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all Panamanian citizens living in Việt Nam, on the occasion of the 119th Anniversary of our Independence and the current 47 years anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between our nations. 

I would also like to extend greetings to the hard working and friendly people of Việt Nam. 

According to the new reports from the International Monetary Fund, Panama will have estimated GDP growth of 6.2% in 2022. This growth is accompanied by low inflation and good fiscal performance, making Panama one of the fastest growing and stable economies in the region.  

During the pandemic, we were one of the most technologically innovative countries in the region, for example, using personal ID as a method to receive money from the government as a subsidy for assistance during COVID pandemic times. This provided social help and peace of mind for the citizenry. Panama was the first country in the continent to introduce such methods. 

Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn (right) receives Panamanian Ambassador Eligio Salas III at the office of Việt Nam Foreign Affairs Ministry on October 11, 2021. Courtesy Photos of the Embassy

This year in early April marked the Official Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama to Việt Nam, the first such visit by a Latin American Minister post COVID-19 pandemic. This visit, carried out within the framework of a tour of other ASEAN countries Indonesia and Singapore, served to reaffirm the bonds of friendship and to further extend the commitment for friendly and fruitful relations with Vietnam and the ASEAN region. During this visit, meetings were held with Mr. Bùi Thanh Sơn, Minister of Foreign Affairs, where the discussion revolved around bilateral cooperation and how to move forward to enhance the capabilities, both of Việt Nam as a manufacturing hub and Panama as a logistics and transportation hub. In meetings with Mr. Phạm Minh Chính, Prime Minister of Việt Nam, and Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Diên, Minister of Industry and Trade, there was discussion of the possible opening of a Commercial office of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam in Panama. This will provide a window of opportunities to introduce Vietnamese goods to the Latin American market that represents more than 500 million consumers. 

Panama offers the best sea, air and telecommunication connectivity to companies that would like to expand their position in Latin America. Through the Panama Canal if by sea and the Hub of the Americas for air travel, you can connect to any place in the Americas, within hours. 

Panama is a stable country, with a healthy democracy, where a plurality of races converge in a nation with a vocation for service. These advantages provide Vietnamese multinational companies a safe ground for investment and a home to locate their regional headquarters. 

On the cultural side, we keep working closely in Việt Nam with the Spanish Department of the University of Hà Nội to promote our culture, language, and heritage through many activities to motivate their students. We take this opportunity to congratulate the Spanish Department on their 20-year anniversary.  

On the maritime front, Panama’s Ship Registry, continues to be the largest registry of merchant marine vessels in the world. This year also marks the 25-year anniversary of the opening of our Consulate General in Hồ Chí Minh City. 

Cocoli-Miraflores Locks, on Panama Canal Pacific side.

This year we commemorate 47 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, all through this time promoting and strengthening closer relations between our two nations.

Panama will always continue to cooperate in the bilateral and multilateral arena with Vietnam with the aim of strengthening our common ties and advancing our shared values, pursuing peaceful conflict resolution, human rights protection, and an open and fair trading system. VNS