Sri Lankan President to visit Vietnam, attend UN Vesak Day

This marks the second state visit by a Sri Lankan president since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1970, and the first time a Sri Lankan head of state will participate in Vesak celebrations in Vietnam.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka maintain a longstanding friendship and multifaceted cooperation.

Sri Lankan political parties hold Vietnam in high regard, viewing the Southeast Asian country as a model of economic success worth learning from.

In 2024, bilateral trade reached approximately US$215.5 million.

Sri Lanka has also recognized Vietnam as a fully-fledged market economy.

With over 69 percent of its population practicing Buddhism, Sri Lanka places high importance on religious and cultural exchanges.

Recently, its Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs expressed a desire to renew a 2009 memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation, suggesting collaboration in archaeology, cultural exchanges, and more.

Buddhist ties between the two countries have strengthened through mutual delegation exchanges, joint participation in international religious events, and support for monks and nuns studying in Sri Lanka.

With the theme ‘Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,’ the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025 is scheduled to take place from May 6 to 8 in Ho Chi Minh City.

It marks the fourth time Vietnam hosts the global event, following previous editions in Hanoi (2008), Ninh Binh Province (2014), and Ha Nam Province (2019).

Vesak 2025 is expected to gather India’s Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Cambodia’s Minister of Cults and Religion Chay Borin, UN officials, and over 1,250 delegates from 85 countries and territories, along with 1,500 domestic delegates.