A leading lawmaker from Côte d’Ivoire begins an official visit to Vietnam 2023

On June 13, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue invited Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly President Adama Bictogo to Vietnam.

Since their diplomatic connections began 48 years ago, this is the first high-ranking West African leader to visit Southeast Asia.

Adama Bictogo will visit President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and numerous Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and regions during his trip till June 16.

He will lay wreaths at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs and visit President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt residence at Hanoi’s Presidential Palace.

Adama Bictogo’s visit will advance the two countries’ longstanding ties. It is anticipated to boost bilateral collaboration in politics, diplomacy, economy, commerce and investment, labor, and people-to-people exchange.

Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly President Adama Bictogo arrived in Hanoi on June 13 afternoon.

The presidents of the two nations will work together to help the Vietnamese community in Côte d’Ivoire, defend their rights and interests, and provide a safe and secure environment.

The two sides will discuss ways to improve parliamentary diplomacy cooperation, delegation exchanges, and event planning.

Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire signed various cooperation contracts, including a memorandum of understanding on Foreign Ministry collaboration in May 2014 and a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders on April 18, 2017.

At global platforms like the UN, Non-Aligned Movement, WTO, and Francophonie, the two states have collaborated and supported each other.

Bilateral commerce has surged since 2015. With a 2022 turnover of 1.04 billion USD, Côte d’Ivoire is Vietnam’s second largest African trading partner and fourth largest export market.

50% of Côte d’Ivoire’s 300 Vietnamese are permanent residents. Nearly 1,000 small dealers transport cashew nuts between the countries.