Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung welcomes King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung welcomes King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen at Nội Bài International Airport on August 18. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

Rinzin Wangchuk *

The arrival of Their Majesties The King and Queen of Bhutan in Việt Nam on August 18 for a five-day State Visit marks more than a diplomatic occasion; it is a moment where two nations, vastly different in size, find common ground in shared aspirations.

This is the first-ever visit by a Bhutanese Head of State to Việt Nam, a country with which Bhutan formally established diplomatic relations just over a decade ago.

Ambassador Kinzang Dorji, Bhutan’s first envoy accredited to Việt Nam on September 17, 2024, highlighted the symbolic and substantive weight of the royal visit. “His Majesty’s visit stands as a historic and defining milestone in the bilateral relationship between Bhutan and Việt Nam,” the ambassador said. Beyond diplomacy, he added, the occasion carries “profound meaning in the context of people-to-people exchanges,” reflecting a friendship that is steadily growing in scope and depth.

The timing of the visit is significant for Việt Nam as well. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, two of the country’s most celebrated historical milestones, which fall on August 19 and September 2 respectively. That President Cường extended the invitation to His Majesty, according to Ambassaodr Kinzang Dorji, reflects the highest gesture of goodwill and mutual respect between the two leaders.

“His Majesty’s visit will herald more than diplomatic protocol,” the ambassador stated. “It carries profound meaning in the context of people-to-people exchanges, reflecting the deepening ties between the two countries.”

Expanding frontiers of cooperation

Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom with a population of just over 700,000 and an area of approximately 38,390sq.m, is dwarfed by its Southeast Asian counterpart. Việt Nam, by contrast, is home to over 101 million people and covers some 331,000sq.m, making it nearly eight times larger in territory and home to a population more than two orders of magnitude greater.

Yet, in this contrast lies Bhutan’s opportunity: a small but stable polity, rich in cultural heritage and environmental wisdom, poised to offer what Việt Nam increasingly values in its quest for sustainable growth and regional balance.

Despite such differences, Bhutan and Việt Nam have identified multiple avenues of cooperation. Ambassador Kinzang Dorji said that trade and investment are emerging as a strong pillar, with niche Bhutanese exports such as cordyceps, textiles, and handicrafts complementing Việt Nam’s strengths in electronics and consumer goods. Vietnamese firms, especially in IT, banking, and services, are seen as potential investors in the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a flagship initiative envisioned by His Majesty The King.

In addition, cross-promotional tourism strategies, cultural exchanges, and joint tour packages are being explored between two countries known globally for their unique cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Agriculture and traditional medicine are also areas of synergy. Both countries, with their long traditions of herbal healing and farming, can exchange knowledge in sustainable practices and value-added production. Likewise, collaboration on environment and conservation is seen as critical, given the shared challenges of climate change and biodiversity protection.

“The partnership between our Central Monastic Body and Buddhist organisations in Việt Nam could further strengthen the spiritual and cultural ties,” the ambassador said, emphasising the Buddhist foundations that underpin relations between the two nations.

Trade relations

While Bhutan and Việt Nam’s trade volume remains modest, the trajectory has been encouraging. In 2024, Việt Nam ranked 24th among Bhutan’s import partners and 12th in exports. Cordyceps Sinensis (Yartsa Goenboob) remains the key Bhutanese export, while agricultural machinery parts, power tillers, and harvesting equipment are imported from Vietnam.

Trade statistics from the past decade show a significant imbalance between imports and exports favoring Việt Nam. However, Bhutan recorded its first trade surplus with Việt Nam in 2022 and maintained it for a second consecutive year in 2023. In 2022, Bhutan’s exports to Việt Nam reached US$1.558 million, surpassing imports worth $1.199 million The following year, Bhutan again registered a surplus of $30,915.

Such trends, according to observers, indicate an emerging balance in trade relations, while Bhutanese entrepreneurs are already making inroads into the Vietnamese market with cordyceps and matsutake mushrooms.

Shared Buddhist heritage

Việt Nam, which has hosted major international Buddhist events such as the United Nations Day of Vesak, is regarded as a key center of Buddhist engagement. Ambassador Kinzang Dorji said that this provides fertile ground for deepening Bhutan-Việt Nam cooperation in the spiritual domain.

“There is considerable scope for meaningful collaboration,” he said, pointing to possibilities such as co-hosting international Buddhist forums, high-level exchanges between monastic institutions, and even Annual Moenlam Chenmo prayers for world peace.

Bhutan, he added, could be promoted as a destination for spiritual retreats and pilgrimages, offering Vietnamese visitors an immersive Vajrayana Buddhist experience.

A relationship rooted in common values

Though separated by geography, Bhutan and Việt Nam’s bilateral ties are rooted in shared values of peace, mutual respect, and cooperation. Since establishing relations in New York on January 19, 2012, both countries have remained engaged through multilateral forums such as the United Nations, although direct bilateral engagements have been limited.

Ambassador Kinzang Dorji said that high-level visits and exchanges have further strengthened goodwill and contributed to the growing relationship. Looking ahead, there exists significant potential to deepen and expand cooperation between Bhutan and Việt Nam across a range of sectors.

With His Majesty The King’s first-ever State Visit, Bhutan and Việt Nam appear poised to elevate their partnership to a new level, broadening collaboration from trade and investment, education, and culture to air connectivity, health, tourism, environment, agriculture and spiritual exchange.

“The visit will lay a strong foundation for a more dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership in the years to come,” Ambassador Kinzang Dorji said with optimism.

Their Majesties are accompanied by the Laytshog Lopon Sangay Dorji of Zhung Dratshang, DN Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and Namgyal Dorji, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, among others.

* The writer is the former Editor of Kuensel and the Executive Director of the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan. He contributes articles to Asian News Network.