Kenya and Vietnam are exploring the possibility of opening embassies in each other’s capitals as part of efforts to enhance bilateral relations and deepen cooperation across multiple sectors. The move follows high-level talks between Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary and President William Ruto’s special envoy, Soipan Tuya, and Vietnamese President Lương Cường in Hanoi.
Currently, Kenya’s embassy in Bangkok oversees diplomatic relations with Vietnam, while Vietnam’s mission in Tanzania covers Kenya. Establishing direct diplomatic missions would facilitate stronger connectivity and collaboration, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, defence, and education.
During her visit, Tuya also met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, to whom she delivered a letter from President Ruto expressing Kenya’s intent to boost cooperation. Discussions focused on deepening the diplomatic relationship, building on the Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic and Political Consultations signed in Nairobi in February.
President Cường proposed increased cooperation in areas such as the defence industry, logistics, military medicine, and UN peacekeeping operations. He also urged Kenya to support Vietnam in enhancing its ties with the African Union and regional organisations.
Prime Minister Chinh echoed the need for broader cooperation, suggesting exchanges in defence, trade, education and training, clean agriculture, food security, and people-to-people relations—especially among the youth.
Tuya is in Hanoi for the fourth session of the Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, where she emphasized Kenya’s interest in climate-resilient green growth and technological innovation.
The Kenya Defence Forces confirmed the country’s keen interest in partnering with Vietnam on defence and other sectors aligned with its development goals, such as manufacturing, universal health coverage, affordable housing, and food security. Notably, Vietnam’s economy grew by 7.09% last year, highlighting the potential benefits of closer collaboration.
The issue of Margaret Nduta, a Kenyan national facing execution in Vietnam, was not mentioned in the official statements. However, the ongoing diplomatic engagement offers a potential platform for addressing consular matters and strengthening people-to-people support mechanisms.
As both nations move toward formalising ties through embassies and strategic partnerships, this development marks a significant step in Kenya’s broader diplomatic outreach in Southeast Asia.
