Panama President José Raúl Mulino to conduct official visit to Vietnam

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and his spouse are scheduled to conduct an official visit to Vietnam from October 5 to 8, 2026, following an invitation from General Secretary and President Tô Lâm. This marks the first official visit by a Panamanian head of state to Vietnam in approximately 14 years.

The visit follows the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations established in 1975. Diplomats and officials emphasize that the mission aims to deepen bilateral ties and transition the relationship into a more substantive and effective phase. Key areas for potential cooperation include logistics, maritime affairs, investment, and international trade.

Both nations view each other as strategic gateways: Vietnam serves as Panama’s entry point to the ASEAN and Asia-Pacific markets, while Panama provides Vietnam with access to Central America, the Caribbean, and Latin American markets. Discussions are expected to focus on leveraging Panama’s maritime and logistics expertise alongside Vietnam’s dynamic manufacturing and export sectors.