Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino is set to visit Vietnam from October 5 to 8, marking a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. This visit is expected to foster deeper cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in economic and trade sectors.
Vietnam and Panama have a longstanding diplomatic relationship, established in 1975, which has been reinforced over the years through high-level exchanges and diplomatic consultations. Both countries are keen to leverage their strategic geographic positions to enhance connectivity between Southeast Asia and Latin America, potentially boosting trade and economic collaboration.
The economic partnership between Vietnam and Panama is already on an upward trajectory, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $478.1 million in 2025, marking a 19.2% increase over the previous year. Vietnam’s primary exports to Panama include footwear, electronics, textiles, vehicles, and seafood, while Panama exports timber, seafood, and raw materials to Vietnam.
Panama’s strategic location along the Panama Canal offers crucial opportunities for Vietnamese businesses aiming to access Central American and Caribbean markets. This aspect of the partnership is likely to be a focal point during President Mulino’s visit, as both countries look to capitalize on Panama’s pivotal role in global shipping and logistics.
The visit is anticipated to result in new agreements and initiatives that will expand trade, investment, and cooperation across several sectors, including agriculture, telecommunications, infrastructure, maritime transport, port logistics, banking, tourism, and education. Furthermore, it is expected that existing mechanisms for political and economic cooperation will be strengthened, laying a robust foundation for future collaboration.