Spain–Vietnam relations

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Spain–Vietnam relations
Map indicating locations of Vietnam and Spain

Vietnam
Spain

Spain–Vietnam relations is the official relations between Spain and Vietnam. Spain has an embassy in Hanoi and Vietnam has an embassy in Madrid.

History[]

A buckler and ammunition captured from the defenders during the assault on Saigon. Now in the Naval Museum of Madrid.
Embassy of Vietnam in Madrid

While two countries had its first contacts at 16th century with the spread of Catholic Jesuits from Spain to Vietnam, their first formal connection between two was only established at 19th century when Isabella II of Spain joined with Napoleon III of France together intervened against Vietnam following anti-Catholic persecutions in the country in 1858.[1] This was the first sign of modern Spanish–Vietnamese relationship, although Spain didn't participate in further mission after Cochinchina Campaign.

Spain played a small role on the Vietnam War when Francisco Franco, Spain's anti-communist dictator, agreed to aid the United States and South Vietnam by deploying a secret medical unit throughout the conflict, which performed operations on both combatants and civilians. The authorities in Go Cong dedicated them a bridge as a result of their humanitarian aid.[2] In a letter to US President Johnson, Franco said of Ho Chi Minh that "we must give him credit for being a patriot who cannot be indifferent to the annihilation of his country", adding that "he could, without doubt, be the man of the hour needed by Vietnam".[3]

After the war and Franco's death, relationship between Spain and Vietnam was established, but severed after the Cambodian–Vietnamese War over Spain's support to anti-Vietnam sanctions and Spain's withdrawal of ambassador from Vietnam.[4] The relationship between two remained cold until 1990s when Vietnam normalized relations with a number of nations including Spain as for the effect of Đổi mới and the fall of Soviet Union.

Modern relations[]

Since the end of Cold War, two countries have developed a relatively close relationship, including economic and political cooperation.[5] Spain is also one of the largest economic donors to Vietnam in the European Union.[6]

The expansion of Spanish language and cultures also reached into Vietnam, such as songs in Spanish language and La Liga, which often attracted large Vietnamese supporters alike.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Cortada, James W. (2008). "Spain and the French Invasion of Cochinchina". Australian Journal of Politics & History. 20 (3): 335–345. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8497.1974.tb01122.x.
  2. ^ Marín, Paloma (2012-04-09). "Spain's secret support for US in Vietnam". El País.
  3. ^ "Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XII, Western Europe - Office of the Historian".
  4. ^ "Vietnam and Spain: Not an ephemeral relationship". 2017-05-31.
  5. ^ "Vietnam bets on increasing its economic relations with Spain". 2015-09-18.
  6. ^ Ficha de Vietnam Oficina de Información Diplomática. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación. Sección: Cooperación.
  7. ^ Wilson, Bill (2018-09-23). "Spain's la Liga sets global goals". BBC News.

External links[]

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