This is the first visit by PM Joe Natuman and the second by a PM of Vanuatu to Vietnam.
Vietnam and Vanuatu established diplomatic ties in 1982 and havesince maintained sound political relations through the exchange ofdelegations, particularly the Vietnam visit by Prime Minister SergeVohor in 1997.
The two nations are coordinating inthe Francophone International Organisation and the United Nations’international forums. Vanuatu recognised Vietnam’s market economyin June this year.
Due to geographical distance,two-way trade reached only 2 million USD in 2011, with Vietnam mainlyexporting meat, seafood and ceramics to Vanuatu.
Around 500 Vietnamese people are residing in Vanuatu, constitutingthe second largest foreign expat community in the country which has apopulation of 267,000.-VNA