[Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]

H.E. Mr. Ta Van Thong arrived in Apia, on Tuesday, 5th of March 2019 to present his Letters of Credence to the Head of State, His Highness, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II. The Credentials Ceremony took place this morning, Thursday 7 March at the Office of His Highness the Head of State of Samoa in Vailele.

In his remarks during the Ceremony, the Ambassador reflected on the Government of Viet Nam’s efforts to strengthen ties between Samoa and Viet Nam through “cooperation especially in the areas of economic and trade, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and people to people links”. The Ambassador also stressed that the Vietnamese government will continue the policy of expanding relations with all countries across the world.

The Ambassador was received in audience by the Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and accepted his Letters of Credence, as well as the Letters of Recall of his predecessor. His Highness also conveyed his best wishes for the good health and well-being of the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and people of Viet Nam. His Highness welcomed the approach and possibilities for strengthening the relationship between both countries and encouraged continued collaboration on issues of mutual concern such as climate change, sustainable development, human rights, trade, and international peace and security.

Samoa formally established diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in March 1994. Samoa and Viet Nam maintains cordial work relations through the United Nations, and other multilateral fora in the pursuit of issues of common interest and aspirations in maintaining prosperity, peace and security in our respective regions and beyond.

Mr. Ta Van Thong was recently the Director General of the National Interpretation and Translation Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Viet Nam from September 2013 to 2018. He also held other positions such as Ambassador of Viet Nam to the Kingdom of Norway from 2010 to 2013, as well as Deputy Director General and Chief of the Interpretation Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Viet Nam from 2001 to 2008. Mr. Ta Van Thong first joined the Vietnamese Foreign Service in 1991 as the Desk Officer of the Department of International Organizations.

Since April 2018, he has held the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Viet Nam to New Zealand. Mr. Ta Van Thong has a Bachelor in International Relations and speaks both English and Russian.