Hanoi-Jerusalem relationship at high, Vietnam looks to Israel’s high-tech industry for opportunity
Israeli ambassador Yaron Mayer told the ‘Post’ that Jerusalem-Hanoi relations were at an all-time high.
While Israeli diplomacy became undoubtedly more complex in the two years that followed Hamas’s October 7 attacks, the relationship between Jerusalem and Hanoi has continued to flourish, Israeli Ambassador Yaron Mayer told The Jerusalem Post.
“The conflict has naturally raised concerns, but did not dominate bilateral engagement. Diplomatic dialogue remained professional, respectful, and focused on cooperation. Long-term partnerships were not disrupted,” the Post was told. “Vietnam maintains a balanced stance, supporting a two-state solution while continuing to value Israel as a top-tier technological partner.”
Mayer, who is also Israel’s representative to Laos, has spent over a decade working in Israeli diplomacy, previously serving as Israel’s ambassador to Myanmar and Nepal.
Much of his time thus far has been spent representing Israel and building local-level bonds. Celebrating his first Vietnamese New Year, which fell on his 7th month in the country, he joined a Kindergarten class to learn how to make the traditional Vietnamese Trung cake, a square cake made of sticky rice, green beans, and meat.
The ambassador, whose mother was a famed artist born in London, also reflected on both the challenge and the beauty of learning to write a traditional word under the guidance of a calligrapher in Hanoi.
The Chinese script, commonly hung on the walls of Vietnamese homes to bring good luck, was demonstrated by a local man who taught him how to write the word “AN,” meaning peace.
The relationship between the two countries is at an all-time high, he said, noting the recent accomplishments, such as the signing of the free trade agreement in 2023. Trade is projected to exceed $4 billion by the end of 2026, he confirmed.
During an earlier discussion, the ambassador hinted at pushing towards Visa-free travel for Israelis. He had little more to say on the issue but suggested it was the natural next step after Hanoi’s 2023 decision to extend e-visas to 90 days.
Combined with the new direct Arkia flight from Tel Aviv, this made it clear that Vietnam was investing heavily in attracting Israeli tourists. Last year, at least 50,000 visitors entered Vietnam with Israeli passports, and the tourism ministry aims to reach 300,000 Israeli travelers by 2030.
Beyond tourism, Mayer said there was a plan to increase cooperation on technology transfer, smart agriculture, climate resilience, and digital innovation over the next five years.
