Vietnam’s first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste presents credentials to President Ramos-Horta
DÍLI, 29 September 2026 (TATOLI) – Vietnam’s first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste, Pham Binh Dam, presented his credentials to the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta.
The ceremony, held at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, marks a historic milestone in the bilateral relationship, elevating diplomatic representation to a resident ambassadorial level for the first time since diplomatic relations were established in 2002.
The arrival of a resident ambassador reflects the growing scope of cooperation between Timor-Leste and Vietnam, including education, agriculture, information and communication technology, trade and regional affairs.
Ramos-Horta welcomed Ambassador Dam and said his appointment demonstrated the strengthening partnership between the two countries.
“The accreditation of Vietnam’s first Resident Ambassador to Timor-Leste is a testament to our strengthening ties and shared vision for the future,” Ramos-Horta said.
He described Vietnam as a longstanding friend and partner of Timor-Leste, highlighting its support for the country’s path towards ASEAN membership and cooperation in education, technology and agriculture.
Ramos-Horta also expressed confidence that Dam’s diplomatic experience would contribute to expanding bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Timor-Leste and Vietnam established diplomatic relations on 28 July 2002. Since then, the two countries have expanded political and economic engagement, including through high-level visits and agreements covering visa exemption, higher education and educational cooperation.
Ramos-Horta visited Vietnam in July 2024 to mark the 22nd anniversary of diplomatic relations and again in February 2025 to attend the ASEAN Future Forum. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão also visited Vietnam in June 2026 and attended the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi.
Vietnam’s embassy in Dili officially began operations on 12 April 2026, paving the way for the appointment of its first resident ambassador.
The two countries have also strengthened media cooperation through a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Timor-Leste’s national news agency, TATOLI.
Economic ties have continued to develop. Bilateral trade reached about US$18.7 million in 2025, while Viettel-owned Telemor remains a major telecommunications operator in Timor-Leste.
Vietnam has also supported Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration and provided scholarships and training opportunities in areas including ICT, agriculture and digital development.
Dam brings more than two decades of diplomatic experience at Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before his appointment to Dili, he served as Director-General of the National Secretariat for APEC Vietnam 2027.
His previous overseas postings included Vietnam’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, consul-general in Hong Kong and second secretary at Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris.
The accreditation of Vietnam’s first resident ambassador marks a further step in the development of bilateral relations as Timor-Leste and Vietnam seek to expand cooperation and strengthen their engagement in Southeast Asia.
TATOLI
