Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba paid a courtesy call on Vice President of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan, who arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Xuan arrived in Nepal earlier in the day on a three-day official visit at the invitation of Nepali Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed various dimensions of Nepal-Vietnam relations, as well as matters of mutual interest and cooperation. Minister Deuba congratulated Vietnam on its rapid economic growth, noting that other countries could draw lessons from its development trajectory, according to a press note issued by the minister’s secretariat.

Highlighting the cultural ties between the two nations, Deuba stressed that Buddhism remained a strong link between the peoples of Nepal and Vietnam. She noted that many Vietnamese citizens visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and proposed joint efforts to promote cultural and religious tourism.

Deuba also called for direct flights from Vietnam to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport to facilitate tourism and connectivity.

She further emphasised the need to enhance cooperation in the tourism sector, citing the increasing flow of visitors between the two countries in recent years, the secretariat said.

As Nepal prepares for its graduation from the Least Developed Countries category after 2026, Deuba requested Vietnam’s support in navigating the post-graduation period.

She also sought backing for Nepal’s candidacies for the UN Human Rights Council (2027–2029) and the Economic and Social Council (2029–2031).

Vice President Xuan expressed Vietnam’s commitment to supporting Nepal in its international aspirations.

Both leaders underscored the importance of continued collaboration at bilateral and multilateral levels, particularly in areas such as South–South cooperation, climate change, and safeguarding the interests of developing nations, the minister’s secretariat said.

Nepal and Viet Nam, members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77, have consistently supported each other in advancing shared global agendas.

During the visit, the two vice-presidents–Yadav and Xuan–are scheduled to lead their respective delegations at the Nepal-Vietnam bilateral meeting to be held in Kathmandu on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

Xuan will also hold courtesy meetings with senior officials and dignitaries of Nepal, the ministry said in a press release on Thursday.

The visit, the first-ever highest-level engagement from Vietnam to Nepal, coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.

Xuan is scheduled to depart Kathmandu for Hanoi on August 25.