Argentina opens agricultural-industrial affairs office in Hanoi
Argentina's establishment of its sixth Special Attaché Office for the Agro-Industrial Sector indicated the South American country's confidence in and determination to strengthen its partnership with Vietnam.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is now home to Argentina's sixth Special Attaché Office for the Agro-Industrial Sector.
The inauguration of the Hanoi office held on July 1. Photos: The Embassy of Argentina in Hanoi
The office's inauguration on July 1 marked a new step forward in economic cooperation between the two countries.
The office will be led by Dr. Alonso Pablo Ferrando, Argentina’s agricultural and industrial attaché.
The establishment of the sixth special attaché office in Hanoi underscores the growing importance of Vietnam as a strategic partner to Argentina and opens new avenues for bilateral trade and investment, according to Marcos Antonio Bednarski, Argentine Ambassador to Vietnam.
Marcos Antonio Bednarski, Argentine Ambassador to Vietnam, speaks at the launch of the office.
The ambassador emphasized Vietnam’s growing economic importance, calling it one of the most dynamic economies in the region.
According to him, Vietnam is Argentina’s third-largest trading partner in Asia, after China and India; seventh-largest globally; and in the top five markets for agricultural products.
Ambassador Bednarski also praised the ongoing academic and research collaborations between universities and institutes from both countries in the field of agriculture.
He stressed that the two economies are highly complementary and possess well-trained human resources capable of advancing the bilateral partnership to new heights.
Agustín Tejeda Rodríguez, Argentina’s Undersecretary of Food Markets and International Integration.
Agustín Tejeda Rodríguez, Argentina’s Undersecretary of Food Markets and International Integration, said in his remarks on July 1 that there is substantial untapped potential in Argentina-Vietnam relations, especially in today's global context.
Through the Hanoi office, Argentina aims to enhance cooperation with Vietnamese institutions, businesses, and communities in areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, and industry.
The undersecretary pointed to specific areas of interest, including veterinary science, biotechnology, rice production, dairy, and tropical fruits.
He also stressed the importance of connecting Argentine businesses with local partners in Vietnam, describing it as a compelling destination for international trade.
Sharing these sentiments, Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said the two countries share a vision of sustainable development and have complementary strengths in products and technologies with strong internal growth momentum.
He added that, with a population of over 100 million, Vietnam not only serves as a vibrant consumer market but also as a gateway for Argentine businesses to access the broader ASEAN supply chain.
Similarly, Argentina can facilitate access to the vast South American market for Vietnamese companies, particularly through the Mercosur trade bloc.
To unlock this potential, Vinh proposed enhancing business-to-business connectivity and organizing more effective trade promotion activities.
He also urged relevant parties to accelerate negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and Mercosur (the Southern Common Market–a South American trade bloc established in 1991 by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), which would provide a solid legal framework and an attractive investment environment for both sides.
Representatives of Vietnam and Argentina at the inaugural ceremony on July 1.
The launch of the Special Attaché Office for the Agro-Industrial Sector in Hanoi is part of a working visit from June 30 to July 4 by a high-level Argentine trade delegation led by Undersecretary Agustín Tejeda Rodríguez.
During the visit, the delegation met with Vietnamese ministries, hosted sector-specific workshops, and organized B2B meetings in key areas such as food and beverages, agricultural technology, and supply chains.
Vietnam and Argentina established diplomatic relations in 1973, upgrading them to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2010. Bilateral trade has grown steadily over the years, primarily in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
In 2024, bilateral trade reached $4 billion, rocketing 67% from the previous year. Argentina primarily exports agricultural products and raw materials for processing, while Vietnam has gained ground in industrial and high-tech exports.
According to Vietnam's Department of Customs, Argentine exports to Vietnam increased by 40.4% from January to May of 2025, while Vietnamese exports to Argentina surged by 243.6%. This drove total trade up by 67.1% year-on-year. Key export items experienced explosive growth, including mobile phones and components (up 636%) and footwear (up 146%).
