Vietnam’s Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino have reached an agreement to deepen transport, logistics, and supply chain connectivity between their two nations. The understanding positions Panama’s canal, port infrastructure, and global logistics network as key enablers for Vietnam to reach markets and supply chains across the Americas.
The high-level meeting regarding supply chain, transport and logistics took place on 7th October 2026 at the Government Headquarters in Hanoi, during Mulino’s official visit to Vietnam from 5th to 8th October 2026.
A Milestone Built on Decades of Diplomatic Relations
Le Minh Hung welcomed the Panamanian President, his spouse, and the accompanying high-ranking delegation, describing the visit as a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship. He noted that it provides fresh momentum to propel Vietnam Panama cooperation into a new phase, building on more than half a century of traditional friendship and solidarity since diplomatic relations were established in 1975.
The Vietnamese leader expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in recent times. He emphasized that both nations share numerous mutual interests and complementary potential, particularly in economics, trade investment, and broader economic engagement.
Turning High-Level Agreements into Action
The meeting also saw the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents spanning maritime and aviation transport, customs, tourism, security, agriculture and education and training.
Drawing on the successful talks between the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President and the Panamanian President, Le Minh Hung proposed that both governments focus on concretizing the agreements reached at the highest levels.
He stressed the need to identify clear focal points, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes to ensure that commitments translate into substantive and effective results that bring mutual benefits.
Coordinated Exchanges and Institutional Mechanisms
Le Minh Hung suggested that both sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, encompassing state diplomacy, parliamentary diplomacy, and people-to-people exchanges. He called for enhancing the presence and activities of diplomatic and consular missions and effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, and Investment.
Supply Chain Connectivity and Market Access
A central pillar of the transport and logistics discussions focused on creating favorable conditions for each country’s key products to access the other’s market. The Prime Minister called for strengthening transport and logistics and supply chain connectivity to more closely link the two economies. He emphasized maximizing the roles of both Vietnam and Panama as gateway connectors for integration between Southeast Asia Latin America, leveraging their respective geographic and economic positions.
Panama Affirms Vietnam as Top Priority Partner in Southeast Asia
José Raúl Mulino congratulated Vietnam on its remarkable economic growth achievements and expressed a desire to exchange and learn from Vietnam’s development experience. Sharing the positive outcomes of his earlier talks with Party General Secretary and President To Lam, he affirmed that Panama considers Vietnam a top priority partner in Southeast Asia and expressed his wish to further tighten comprehensive cooperation, particularly in economics and trade investment.
Through its canal, seaport infrastructure, airports, bonded warehouses, world-class logistics system, and extensive trade network, Panama stands ready to support Vietnam in accessing markets and supply chains across the Americas. This support for supply chain connectivity represents a concrete step toward bridging the two regions.
Bilateral Legal Framework and Future Cooperation
The Panamanian President welcomed and fully agreed with the Prime Minister’s proposals, stating that he will direct Panamanian agencies to closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries, departments, and bodies to implement high-level agreements and formalize the bilateral agenda.
Both leaders agreed to accelerate negotiations on cooperation agreements concerning air transport, investment promotion and protection, security, justice, and law enforcement. These efforts aim to establish a favorable legal framework for bilateral cooperation in the coming period.
This move comes after the recent Vietnam-Laos Logistics Business Forum 2026, which showcased the efforts of Vietnam and Laos to increase transport connectivity, strengthen supply chains and streamlining cross-border commerce.
