Vietnam wants to expand economic cooperation with Suriname and sees opportunities particularly in the agriculture, fisheries, and oil and gas sectors. Among other things, the Asian country is prepared to share its knowledge and expertise in rice production and processing, with the aim of helping Suriname develop into a regional export hub for rice.
This emerged on Friday, October 16, 2026, during the farewell visit of non-resident Vietnamese ambassador Bùi Văn Nghị to President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. The diplomat and his delegation were received at the Kabinet van de President (Office of the President).
During the meeting, the existing cooperation between the two countries was reviewed and possibilities for further deepening economic relations were discussed. According to the ambassador, diplomatic and political relations between Suriname and Vietnam are excellent, but mutual trade remains below the potential both countries have to offer.
Cooperation in agriculture and fisheries
An important point of focus is the further development of Suriname’s agricultural sector. Vietnam is among the world’s major rice-producing and rice-exporting countries and wants to share its experience with modern production techniques and rice processing with Suriname.
The ultimate aim is to strengthen Suriname’s rice sector in such a way that the country can play a greater role in regional food supply and rice exports.
Vietnam also sees opportunities for cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture. The country wants to use its knowledge and experience to support Suriname in making better use of its water-rich areas and further developing the fisheries sector.
Petrovietnam wants to cooperate with Staatsolie
In addition to agriculture and fisheries, the oil and gas sector was also discussed. Vietnam is interested in cooperation between the Vietnamese state-owned company Petrovietnam (PVN) and Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Suriname’s state oil company).
This includes the development of infrastructure, including pipelines and floating storage facilities. Offshore exploration is also among the possible areas of cooperation.
The talks are aimed at exploring opportunities for future cooperation. No announcements have yet been made regarding concrete agreements or investment amounts.
Shared interests in climate policy
Suriname and Vietnam also want to strengthen their cooperation in the areas of climate change, environmental protection, and forest conservation.
According to ambassador Bùi Văn Nghị, Vietnam supports Suriname’s position within the United Nations on international climate financing and forest conservation.
“Since Vietnam is also one of the countries most severely affected by climate change, we too place strong emphasis on forest conservation,” the diplomat told the Communicatie Dienst Suriname (CDS).
Ambassador bids farewell
The visit to President Simons also marked the ambassador’s impending departure. During the meeting, attention was paid to the results achieved during his diplomatic representation and the possibilities for further expanding bilateral relations.
Bùi Văn Nghị also congratulated Simons on her position as Suriname’s first female president. He wished her success with her plans to lead the country towards further economic development and sustainability.
Through the areas of cooperation discussed, Suriname and Vietnam aim to more explicitly translate their existing diplomatic relations into economic opportunities, with agriculture, energy, and food security taking centre stage.
