In a meeting held on Wednesday in Hà Nội, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng underscored Việt Nam’s commitment to strengthening relations with the United Kingdom during discussions with UK Ambassador Iain Frew. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his congratulatory message upon Hưng’s recent election. He praised Ambassador Frew and the British Embassy for their substantial contributions to advancing bilateral ties, highlighted by the elevation of Việt Nam–UK relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Party General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit to the UK in October 2025.
Prime Minister Hưng identified significant opportunities for cooperation between the two nations in areas such as trade, investment, finance, science and technology, education and training, green energy, and security. He advocated for increased exchanges and high-level visits, proposing the development of an actionable plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Hưng also set an ambitious goal for bilateral trade, aiming to boost turnover to US$10 billion by 2026 and eventually reach $15 billion, emphasizing the importance of market access for mutual goods. He reassured that the Vietnamese Government remains committed to creating a conducive environment for foreign businesses, including those from the UK, to thrive in Việt Nam.
The Prime Minister highlighted the role of bilateral cooperation in establishing the Việt Nam International Financial Centre (VIFC) and encouraged the UK to continue supporting Việt Nam in refining its legal and financial frameworks and mobilizing resources for infrastructure projects. He also called on the UK Government to further integrate the Vietnamese community in the UK, enabling them to contribute positively to both nations’ socio-economic development.
Ambassador Frew commended Việt Nam on its recent socio-economic progress and expressed his commitment to fostering more substantial and effective bilateral relations. He acknowledged Việt Nam’s leadership role as Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026, pledging the UK’s cooperation in enhancing trade links. Frew noted British investors’ positive outlook on Việt Nam’s growth, particularly in energy and finance, and emphasized the UK’s intent to be a lasting partner in Việt Nam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
Frew concurred with Prime Minister Hưng’s proposals, stressing the importance of ongoing collaboration in defense and security, science, technology, and innovation. He advocated for connecting expertise and investment networks, supporting high-tech education, advancing English language education in Vietnamese schools, and aiding Việt Nam’s green finance initiatives. Both leaders agreed on the necessity of enhancing coordination in multilateral forums, strengthening ASEAN–UK relations, and ensuring navigational freedoms, contributing to regional and global peace and development.