Chilean President to Visit Vietnam as Both Countries Seek Deeper Cooperation
Chilean President José Antonio Kast is scheduled to visit Vietnam from November 15 to 17, 2026. Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyễn Việt Cường said the two countries hope to deepen their Comprehensive Partnership and expand cooperation in trade, energy and technology as they mark 55 years of diplomatic relations.
Chilean President José Antonio Kast and his wife are scheduled to make an official visit to Vietnam from November 15 to 17, 2026. Ahead of the visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyễn Việt Cường said in an interview that the trip is an important event marking 55 years of diplomatic relations. The two sides will discuss the next stage of their Comprehensive Partnership and existing cooperation mechanisms.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyễn Việt Cường.（VietVance）
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1971. Vietnamese President Lương Cường made an official visit to Chile in November 2024, and Chile’s foreign minister made an official visit to Vietnam in August 2026. Nguyễn Việt Cường said the two foreign ministries had agreed to hold the next consultations and Free Trade Council meeting as soon as possible. In 2026, the legislatures of both countries also established parliamentary friendship groups.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyễn Việt Cường and Chile’s foreign minister.（VietVance）
Trade and economic ties are an important area of bilateral cooperation. According to Chile’s Foreign Ministry, trade between the two countries exceeded US$2.1 billion in 2025, up 39% from 2024, with Chile’s imports from Vietnam rising nearly 47%. However, Vietnamese goods still accounted for less than 2% of Chile’s total imports, while Chile’s exports to Vietnam in 2025 were just over US$300 million. Nguyễn Việt Cường said businesses had yet to make full use of the benefits offered by the bilateral free trade agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Nguyễn Việt Cường said the two sides could further expand market access for agricultural products and explore cooperation in renewable energy, minerals, the digital economy and workforce training. He expects the visit to help both countries make more effective use of existing agreements and create opportunities for Vietnam to strengthen its ties with Latin America.
Source: VietVance
