Throughout this time, Hungary has always regarded Vietnam as one of the most important Asian partners in its foreign policy, providing significant assistance and support. Since the 1950s, Hungary has welcomed and trained over 5,000 Vietnamese technical experts, students, and scholars, many of whom have made significant contributions to the nation’s development and later served as bridges and ambassadors, further strengthening the Vietnam-Hungary friendship.
Both countries have established a legal framework for training and educational cooperation through agreements and memoranda aimed at deepening and strengthening bilateral ties. The first Vietnam-Hungary Cultural and Educational Cooperation Agreement was signed in 1957 during President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Hungary. Since then, there have been numerous plans and programs aimed at providing extensive human resource training for Vietnam in various fields, including specialized training in areas such as anti-corruption, money laundering, nuclear energy (2013-2015), and talent development.
Most recently, during his visit to Vietnam in March 2025, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjártó, committed to training 1,000 nuclear experts for Vietnam to support the country's green economic development, ensure sustainable energy security, and promote the vision for a new development era in Vietnam. The program to send Hungarian students to Vietnam to study Vietnamese, initiated in 1959, was interrupted during the period from 1964 to 1978 and has yet to resume since the Covid-19 pandemic.
In line with the commitments of both governments, Hungary has prioritized educational cooperation with Vietnam. As early as 1950, Hungary granted scholarships to two Vietnamese students, and has continued to train large numbers of Vietnamese officials and experts. Since 2014, Vietnam has been one of the first partners in the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program, with the number of scholarships steadily increasing to 200 per year. Educational cooperation between the two countries has been expanding, particularly within universities and training institutions. During visits by senior Vietnamese leaders to Hungary (National Assembly Chairman in June 2022 and Prime Minister in January 2024), nearly 20 memoranda of understanding were signed between Hungarian and Vietnamese universities, opening up training opportunities for faculty and students in fields such as medicine, engineering, and economic management.
Thanks to the continuous efforts of leaders and universities in both countries, the number of Vietnamese students studying in Hungary has steadily increased despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. 900 Vietnamese students were studying in Hungary in 2022, up from 327 in 2014. Over 500 of these students receive the Hungarian government’s Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, while nearly 400 are self-financed, reflecting the trust and hope that Vietnamese students place in Hungary - a peaceful country with a high standard of education and civilization.
In addition to educational cooperation, cultural exchange between the two countries has also grown significantly, yielding many positive results. Several frameworks for cooperation have been signed by both governments, such as memoranda of understanding and cultural exchange programs from 2020 to 2022, and from 2024 to 2026. These initiatives have enhanced cultural ties through activities such as exhibitions, cultural performances, and the sharing of experiences in the cultural industries (cinema, performing arts).
Over the years, cultural exchange events have increasingly diversified the ways in which Vietnam’s culture and people are promoted in Hungary. Vietnamese Cultural Days at districts, provinces, and universities in Hungary have become annual events eagerly anticipated by the Hungarian public. Many of these events have left a lasting impact, with local media covering them extensively, such as the celebration of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday at the Ho Chi Minh Monument, the only such monument in Central and Eastern Europe, and the Vietnamese Cultural Day in Zalaegerszeg (May 2023), which attracted thousands of local people and hundreds of Vietnamese expatriates. The event featured activities such as music and dance performances, culinary exhibitions, painting and calligraphy exhibitions, Ao dai displays, and traditional tea ceremonies.
Moreover, some cultural events have been highly praised by Hungarian senior leaders, such as the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe, which was held at the Hungarian Parliament Building with the participation of Hungarian National Assembly leaders and over 250 female delegates from Vietnam and more than 20 European countries.
The deep cultural and linguistic exchange between Vietnam and Hungary is also reflected in works translated by Hungarian translator Sandor Halmosi, as well as by former Vietnamese students in Hungary, such as Giap Van Chung, Tran Dinh Kiem, Phan Anh Son, and Trinh Quang Thang. These individuals have worked tirelessly to promote and bridge the cultures and literatures of both countries, helping to bring the two peoples closer together.
In particular, to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries will be further promoted with a range of planned events, including Vietnamese Cultural Days in Budapest districts, Ao dai exhibitions at the Hungarian Parliament Building, seminars, roundtables, and exhibitions showcasing the image of Vietnam, and international cultural festivals at universities.
These efforts of cultural and educational cooperation, which date back to the socialist era of the 1950s, have contributed to the creation of strong ties and mutual respect between the two nations. Hungarian leaders, top scientists, and citizens continue to express their admiration for the Vietnamese people - a nation known for its resilient struggle for independence, its commitment to peace, and its hardworking, determined spirit.
The deep affection, understanding, and shared values of peace and stability between the generations of Vietnam and Hungary form the foundation for expanding cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries in the future. This ongoing relationship will continue to evolve in diverse forms and deepen bilateral ties, ensuring the ongoing connection between intellectuals, students, and citizens of both countries, bringing vibrant and lasting growth to their bilateral relationship.
