Kazakhstan and Vietnam are entering a new phase in their bilateral relationship, transitioning from political dialogue to concrete economic cooperation. This shift was underscored by a recent meeting between Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumangarin, and Vietnam’s Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Nguyen Hoa Binh, as reported by DKNews.kz.
During these talks, both leaders emphasized that their nations have spent over 30 years cultivating political dialogue and fostering intergovernmental and parliamentary cooperation. This solid foundation is now evolving into ambitious economic goals that aim to deepen collaboration.
A clear target: doubling trade by 2026
Serik Zhumangarin outlined their vision to intensify cooperation primarily in trade, investment, transport and logistics, agriculture, and information technology. Kazakhstan has set an ambitious target to double mutual trade turnover by 2026. To facilitate this goal, a trade and economic mission to Vietnam is planned for later this year, focusing on launching new supply chains and identifying tangible investment opportunities, moving beyond mere symbolic visits.
Kazakh wheat returns to the Vietnamese market
One of the standout developments from the discussions was the resumption of wheat exports; for the first time in eight years, Kazakhstan successfully delivered over 15,000 tons of wheat to Vietnam. This accomplishment represents not just a revival, but a significant step towards establishing Kazakhstan as a reliable food supplier in the Southeast Asian market.
The first direct combined shipments of Kazakh grain were launched in 2025, utilizing multimodal logistics to streamline the process without the need for reloading containers. This innovation drastically reduces both delivery times and costs, showcasing Kazakhstan’s commitment to enhancing its role in the global food supply chain.
Expanding agricultural exports
The potential for agricultural exports extends well beyond wheat. Kazakhstan is eager to increase the supply of flour, meat, dairy products, and oilseeds to Vietnam. In this context, the Kazakh delegation proposed accelerating the approval of an agreement on veterinary services cooperation, with ambitions to finalize it during the second meeting of the agricultural subcommittee. Establishing such regulatory frameworks is crucial for ensuring stable, large-scale agricultural trade.
The Middle Corridor as a logistics alternative
Transport and logistics emerged as another significant topic during the discussions. Kazakhstan encourages its Vietnamese partners to utilize the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, widely known as the Middle Corridor. Choosing this route over the traditional southern maritime path can reduce cargo delivery times by three to four times.
To enhance collaboration, Kazakhstan is willing to establish optimal logistics conditions and develop joint projects in various sectors, including light industry and automotive manufacturing. This option not only boosts trade efficiency but fosters a closer economic relationship between the two countries.
Direct flights to boost connectivity
Air travel connectivity is set to improve, with plans for VietJet Air to launch regular flights on the Hanoi – Almaty – Prague route starting in 2026. Additionally, discussions are underway regarding a direct flight between Astana and Hanoi, alongside restoring the route from Almaty to Ho Chi Minh City. Enhanced flights are expected to significantly promote business ties, tourism, and interpersonal exchanges.
Vietnamese investment gains momentum in Kazakhstan
Investment cooperation is making substantial strides, transitioning from plans to implementation. Several projects featuring Vietnamese capital are already progressing in Kazakhstan. Among these initiatives are the construction of the Ak Bulak Village tourist complex in the Almaty region and a food production plant in the Arna industrial zone of Konaev city, with the latter alone attracting investments of around 90 million US dollars.
Business council and financial cooperation
The key role of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation was highlighted during the meeting. The next session of this commission is expected to occur in June or July of this year. There are also plans to sign a memorandum to establish the Kazakhstan–Vietnam Business Council by 2025, a move that has gained strong support from the Vietnamese side given the considerable scope for growth in mutual trade.
Nguyen Hoa Binh reaffirmed the traditionally friendly ties between Kazakhstan and Vietnam, indicating Vietnam’s ongoing interest in expanding cooperation at both bilateral and regional levels. He specifically supported initiatives related to the development of the Middle Corridor and expressed curiosity about Kazakhstan’s expertise in developing the Astana International Financial Centre, particularly as Vietnam considers establishing a financial hub in Ho Chi Minh City.
What this meeting signals
The recent discussions illustrate that Kazakhstan and Vietnam are progressing towards a partnership that is pragmatic and driven by tangible outcomes. Issues such as grain exports, logistics corridors, aviation links, investment projects, and financial cooperation are effectively reshaping the framework of their bilateral relations.
If these ambitious plans are realized, Vietnam could emerge as one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in Southeast Asia, while Kazakhstan reinforces its position as a dependable transit hub and food supplier for the region.