Shawn Steil, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam, in Hanoi

Message

Welcome to the website of the Embassy of Canada to Vietnam. I am honoured and privileged to represent Canada in this beautiful country.

I arrive in Vietnam at a good time. Both Canada and Vietnam are poised for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the sense of optimism is almost palpable. We are emerging from a difficult period with a relationship stronger than ever, built on a foundation of common interests and bolstered by the recent visit of Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Melanie Joly in April 2022. I am excited to explore Vietnam, build connections with people from all walks of life and enhance our comprehensive partnership.

Canada enjoys a long-standing and multifaceted bilateral partnership with Vietnam, and we greatly value the strong ties between our countries, which include political and diplomatic, trade and investment, development cooperation, defence and security, cultural and academic exchange, science, technology and innovation, and vibrant people-to-people links. 

While the turbulence continues to define the global landscape, Canada and Vietnam share an interest in strengthening the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions. We value constructive engagement in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, La Francophonie, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), where Canada is a Dialogue Partner.

For more than 30 years, Canada has accompanied Vietnam in its development, helping to contribute to its remarkable socio-economic success. Our longstanding presence and role as a trusted development partner is valued and appreciated, and Canada’s comparative advantage is recognized in a diversity of sectors to help advance gender equality, promote decent work, fight climate change, and strengthen institutions in Vietnam. We will continue to support post-pandemic recovery efforts that are inclusive of women and ethnic minorities, as well as explore ways to support Vietnam as it addresses climate change and transitions to renewable and sustainable energy sources.

Vietnam has been Canada’s largest trading partner in the ASEAN region since 2015, and bilateral trade continues to grow despite the pandemic-related economic downturn. In 2021, two-way trade significantly surpassed the 2020 performance, reaching a record of over $10.5 billion CAD. With a 2022 projected growth rate of 6.5%, and a growing middle class, Vietnam provides expanding market opportunities for Canadian companies. This website also provides information to help explore investment opportunities with Canada and to discover Canada’s exceptional capabilities.

Our people-to-people ties continue to grow thanks to a dynamic Vietnamese-Canadian community in Canada, a growing number of Vietnamese who study at our world-class academic institutions, and the increasing number of Canadian tourists who are discovering the natural beauty, culture and vibrant cities of Vietnam. For Canadians living in or visiting Vietnam, this website outlines available consular services, including passport and citizenship services.

This website also addresses questions you may have about visiting, studying or moving to Canada.

I encourage you to explore this website, and stay in touch with the Embassy. You can also write to us directly at hanoi@international.gc.ca; and follow us on Facebook and on X (Twitter); these platforms provide information on Canadian values, culture, development cooperation and trade successes in Vietnam. The Embassy also uses social media to send out important notices to the community.

Thank you for visiting our website.

Shawn Steil

Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam