Vietnam-Iran relations in the new global context.

Attending the seminar were Mr. Hussein Alvandi Behineh (Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Vietnam) and many scientists from both countries.

In his opening remarks at the seminar, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) mentioned the history of friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Iran, highlighting the cultural and historical similarities that form the foundation for mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. Official diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1973. To date, this cooperative relationship has entered a new phase of comprehensive development across all fields: political, economic, cultural, and scientific and technological. Entering the 21st century, amidst changes in the regional and global context, both Vietnam and Iran aspire to further develop this tradition of friendly cooperation, elevating the relationship to a new level for the common benefit of the people of both countries.

Ambassador Hussein Alvandi Behineh of the Islamic Republic of Iran speaks at the opening session. (Photo: Thanh Long/USSH)

For the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular, cooperation with the Iranian Embassy in Vietnam over the years has yielded remarkable results: many Vietnamese students and lecturers have gone to Iran for research and study, many Iranian lecturers have come to teach Persian at the University, many academic and cultural exchange activities between Vietnam and Iran have been organized, and the Iran Room has been established as a place for in-depth exhibition and research on Persian culture and language as a preparatory step towards establishing a field of Iranian Studies…

Also at the opening session, Ambassador Hussein Alvandi Behineh delivered a speech on Iran's foreign policy with neighboring countries in the region, including Vietnam. He also highly appreciated the significance of the conference as a typical academic activity during the Iranian Culture Week at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, aiming to create new opportunities for cooperation and exchange between scientists of the two countries through the exchange of ideas on important regional and global issues.

At the conference, from different perspectives, scientific papers highlighted the achievements in Vietnam-Iran cooperation, analyzing new international factors and contexts impacting the relationship between the two countries. Specific topics discussed included: the potential and opportunities for investment cooperation between Vietnam and Iran; Vietnam-Iran economic and trade relations – current status and prospects; Iran's foreign policy in Southeast Asia with a focus on Vietnam; the Iranian people and the Vietnam War – from a historical perspective and the prospects of people-to-people diplomacy in the new context; the interaction between religion and politics in the Middle East; energy security in the India-Iran relationship…