1.Political Relations:
Vietnam and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations on July 21, 1970. Viet Nam opened its embassy in Colombo in 1971 and closed in 1982.

a/ Vietnamese leaders’ visits to Sri Lanka:
Former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong (1978); Former Chairman of Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association Nguyen Quang Tao (1996); Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung (21- 24 March 2002); Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien (19-22 July 2003); Deputy Trade Minister Do Nhu Dinh (23 October-1 November 2003); Fishery Minister Ta Quang Ngoc (17-20 March 2005); and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan (June 2006).
b/ Visits to Vietnam by leaders of Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Laksham Kadirgarmar (21-24 May 1999); Sri Lanka Parliament Secretary Asoka Authurukiriya (13-21 December 2000); Chairman of Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Friendship Association (June 2001); Chairman of Sri Lanka Farmer Association (June 2002); Sri Lanka Trade Minister (October 2002); Delegation of Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Friendship Association (2003); Sri Lanka Foreign Minister (23-26 October 2003); Sri Lanka Agriculture Minister (10-20 December 2004); Delegation of Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Friendship Association (25-30 June 2005); Sri Lanka Parliament Chairman W.J.M. Lokubandara (20- 24 February 2006); and Sri Lanka Prime Minister (26-29 November 2006).
The relationship between the two countries is fine. Both sides have enjoyed good cooperation at international fora, including the Non-aligned Movement, South-South Cooperation and the United Nation. Despite huge potentials, the cooperation between the two countries in other fields at present is modest. 
The year 2006 marked a new development in the friendly relationship between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka. For the first time the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka visited Viet Nam (26-29 November 2006). It was the first high level visit between the two countries after 30 years since the official visit of former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong to Sri Lanka in 1978. Both sides signed a joint communiqué and agreed to promote the cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, culture and education. The relations between the two Parliaments of the two countries also had a new development after the visit to Viet Nam by the Sri Lanka Parliament Chairman in February 2006.
In December 2004, the Vietnamese Government sent the Sri Lankan Government emergency aid of 100,000 USD and the Vietnamese people also sent goods and money equivalent to 500,000 USD to help the Sri Lankan people overcome the consequences of earthquake and tsunami. 

2. In the fields of Economics, Investment, Trade, Science-Technology and Culture:
In July 2003, the two countries signed an MOU to set up the joint commission on economic, scientific and technological cooperation between the two Governments. The first meeting session of the joint commission was held in Ha Noi in 2005. The second is scheduled to be held in Colombo in 2008.
The total trade value between the two countries in 2000 reached 30.1 million USD (Viet Nam exported 14.5 million USD and imported 15.6 million USD); 31.2 million USD in 2001 (Viet Nam exported 15 million USD and imported 16.2 million USD); 33 million USD in 2002 (Viet Nam exported 16 million USD and imported 17 million USD); only 15 million in 2003; 25 million USD in 2004 (Viet Nam exported 19 million USD and imported 6 million USD); 30.5 million USD in 2005 (Viet Nam exported 20.1 million USD and imported 10.4 million USD); 19.6 million USD in the first half of 2006 (Viet Nam exported 9.1 million USD and imported 10.5 million USD).
The main items Viet Nam exported to Sri Lanka include precious stones, precious metals, clothing, agricultural machines, rubber, seafood, handicraft and furniture. Items Viet Nam imported from Sri Lanka include animal feed, raw diamond, clothing, raw materials, footwear and chemical substances.

3. Signed Agreements between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka:
Agreement on postal cooperation between the two governments (4 August 1976); Agreement on cultural cooperation between the two governments (9 March 1978); Agreement on trade between the two governments (3 March 1978); Agreement on aviation transportation between the two governments  (29 July 1992); Agreement on cooperation in the field of economics, science and technology between the two governments  (22 May 1999); MOU between the two governments on cooperation in culture, education and sports (May 1999); MOU on the establishment of joint commission between the two governments (21 July 2003); Agreement between the two governments on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports (21 July 2003); Agreement on cooperation in tourism between the two governments (11 June 2004); Agreement between the two governments on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income (26 October 2005); MOU on the establishment and promotion of cooperation between the two chambers of trade and industry (March 2002); MOU on fishery cooperation between the two fishery ministries (March 2005); and MOU on agricultural cooperation between the two agricultural ministries (28 November 2006).

(October 2007)