Argentine ambassador loves exploring Hanoi as a local

THE HANOI TIMES — On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, Argentine Ambassador to Vietnam Marcos Antonio Bednarski speaks to The Hanoi Times about his feelings for Vietnam, especially Hanoi, after one year in office.

How do you feel about Vietnam and Hanoi after a year of serving as the Argentine Ambassador to Vietnam?

In mid-August, I completed my first year leading the Argentine Embassy in Vietnam. I am the 7th ambassador since the opening of our Diplomatic Mission in 1997.

I have the advantage of having received a functioning Embassy, with trained personnel who could share their past experiences. In that sense, I feel very comfortable in Vietnam and greatly appreciate the preservation of traditions, the appreciation of the local culture, and the spontaneity and friendliness of its people.

I've been to Vietnam before. It dates back to the 1990s. My first impression upon returning was the rapid changes taking place in Hanoi, its dynamism, and the development of commercial activity.

Throughout my first year, I've had many anecdotes, most of them very enjoyable. I like to experience Hanoi as a resident, not as a foreigner. I'm taking Vietnamese classes (without much success), therefore, I try to integrate into the society and am always willing to "escape" from official activities whenever I can.

What are the most interesting stories you’ve had during your first year in the country?

During the first year of my term here, there are three stories that I would highlight.

The first is related to the fact that I always like to have flowers at the Official Residence and I personally make the floral arrangements. I'm very lucky to have the flower market nearby, and I love visiting it every week.

Still, I haven't been able to negotiate the price of flowers in Vietnamese, at least fluently. But since I'm already a “well-known figure”, some vendors would chase me around to secure a sale. I love this experience and I'm fascinated by the variety of flowers available, each season with different options.

The second was when I had an interview with a high-ranking official and his team in Hanoi and the topic of transportation came up. I told them that Hanoi had a pretty modern transportation system, to which I was a regular customer.

Then I told them that I took the bus from time to time. They looked at me like "Is that true?" I had to show them my transportation card, and I added that because of my age, I could travel for free. Their reaction was very funny. I don't think many ambassadors travel by bus.

The third was more prominent. I was invited to participate in the ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) show titled "Essence of Vietnam” by the Vietnam Women’s Union in Hanoi in early April. I had the opportunity to debut with mine, which I made with the colors of the Argentine flag. There were a few other Ambassadors at the event, but none of them were wearing ao dai, so they looked at me with a lot of envy.

I was proud of my outfit because it combined Vietnamese and Argentine cultures. That made me the star of the night. The press did special reports on me, and suddenly I found myself surrounded by nice Vietnamese ladies who wanted to take a picture with me.

Regarding Vietnam’s celebration of the 80th National Day, what are the traits that the two countries share in common?

For us Argentines, commemorating our Independence Day (July 9) is a very meaningful celebration. From school, we learn the history of our struggle for independence and we feel proud of our heroes who achieved our freedom.

On that day, the balconies of every house are decorated with flags, and we have a distinctive symbol called "escarapela" that we put on our chest and everyone comes out to show it off, to see who has the most distinguished one. The colors of our flag are light blue and white, meaning we share the colors of the sky, and this also gives a sense of freedom.

We have a tradition for that day. For breakfast, we drink very hot chocolate because it's the middle of winter, and we eat "churros," a legacy from the Spanish colonization.

I think we share this tradition with the Vietnamese population of flying our flags on our houses and buildings. Personally, I feel that the Vietnamese are very proud of their past, and the efforts they made to achieve national independence.

It is outstanding to perceive the feeling that your people carry in their hearts: a deep love for their ancestors and the glories they are able to construct a prosperous society.

What is the plan to bolster the Vietnam-Argentina bilateral relations?

Vietnam is an important trade partner for Argentina. More precisely, Vietnam is Argentina’s third largest in Asia, after China and India and the seventh largest globally.

Proof of the importance our country places on this market is the recent inauguration of the Specialized Office for the Agroindustrial Sector at the Argentine Embassy in Hanoi, which will surely contribute to strengthening our bilateral relations.

On December 10, 2023, Dr. Javier Milei became President of Argentina, beginning a very positive period for the Argentine economy, with a strong commitment to stabilizing macroeconomic variables and effectively controlling public spending.

Numerous measures have been implemented to deregulate and open the economy to achieve international integration and create a dynamic business environment.

This has already had an impact on our bilateral trade. Since 2010, with the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership with Vietnam, our trade exceeded US$4 billion by 2024. We are in the process of achieving new successes.

Between January and May 2025, Vietnam's exports to Argentina grew by 243.6% compared to the same period in 2024. Some items grew exponentially: mobile phones and their parts grew by 636%; footwear by 146%.

According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of Vietnam, Argentine exports grew by 30.84% between January and May 2025. Overall bilateral trade increased by 67.1% in the said period.

We are facing a world with many uncertainties, with challenges in terms of production and consumption patterns. We are separated by 17,000 kilometers, but despite this, we have found a way for our bilateral trade to continue growing.

In 2025, we will celebrate 52 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Personally, I believe they have been successful years of growth, cooperation, and mutual understanding, as is appropriate between complementary economies. I foresee a brilliant future!

Thank you for your time!