Ho Chi Minh City is pushing to promote cooperation with Kazakhstan in the fields of aviation, tourism, finance, logistics, and business connectivity. Notably, the establishment of the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in the city is expected to become a key highlight in bilateral relations in 2026.
These points were emphasized during a meeting between H.E. Mr. Kanat Tumysh, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Vietnam, and Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the City People's Committee, during the former's working visit to the city on December 15.
The Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City believes that the presence of the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Ho Chi Minh City will positively contribute to promoting cooperation between the city and localities in Kazakhstan, thereby enriching and deepening the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Kazakhstan.
Immediately following the visit to Kazakhstan by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam in May 2025, Ho Chi Minh City and its Kazakh partners have actively promoted cooperation in various fields, with a focus on building the International Financial Center in the city, the Chairman said.
In July of this year, the city had the honor of welcoming the Governor of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) for a working visit to Ho Chi Minh City, where both sides organized many practical activities, including a seminar on "Cooperation in Developing the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City,” according to the leader of Ho Chi Minh city
Based on that, the city is particularly interested in Kazakhstan's experience in building and operating the AIFC, Mr. Duoc said, adding that this model has many relevant points for Ho Chi Minh City to refer to in establishing the International Financial Center in the city.
He hoped that the Kazakh Ambassador will continue to act as a bridge to promote direct cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the AIFC; and believed that, on the foundation of a solid strategic partnership, along with the support of high-level leaders and the proactive engagement of localities in both countries, the relationship between Ho Chi Minh City and Kazakhstan will develop more broadly and comprehensively in the coming time.
The establishment of the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to become a highlight in bilateral relations in 2026, he said.
Ambassador Kanat Tumysh, for his part, noted that with its diverse tourism ecosystem—ranging from urban, cultural-historical, culinary, and shopping experiences to MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and river and marine tourism, the city possesses great potential to attract an increasing number of tourists from Kazakhstan and Central Asia for both leisure and business connections.
Regarding aviation cooperation, there are currently more than 40 direct flights per week between Kazakhstan and Vietnam (specifically Da Nang and Phu Quoc). However, there is no direct route connecting HCM City to Kazakhstan, which significantly limits exchange and cooperation between the two sides.
In the context of deepening bilateral relations, particularly since May 2024, when Kazakhstan and Vietnam implemented a visa exemption policy for citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports, the Ambassador suggested the urgent need for a direct flight connecting HCM City with Kazakhstan’s major economic hubs, such as Astana or Almaty. This would greatly facilitate trade, investment, and tourism cooperation.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan possesses the largest railway network in Central Asia, playing the role of a key transit hub for the Asia-Europe Transport Corridor and the intermodal rail route connecting China and Europe.
The ambassador expressed his willingness to share these practical experiences with HCM City regarding the planning and operational organization of long-distance railway lines that link industrial parks, seaports, and domestic logistics systems.
Regarding the development of the International Financial Center in HCM City, Kazakhstan committed to supporting the city in accessing and referencing experiences related to specific legal frameworks, mechanisms for attracting international financial institutions, international arbitration models, and international dispute resolution mechanisms, the ambassador said.
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