Duoc welcomed Luxon’s first official visit to Vietnam as well as the encouraging results of the visit, including the upgrading of Vietnam – New Zealand to a level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

Introducing Ho Chi Minh City to his guest, Duoc noted that the locality is one of the most dynamic cities in Vietnam that offers significant investment and development opportunities across various sectors.

Recently, he said, the government of Vietnam issued a resolution to establish a financial center in Ho Chi Minh City, and the city is now preparing infrastructure and seeking foreign investment. It is also focusing on high-tech development and accelerating digital transformation in governance and administration, to create vast potential for these fields.

Education is one of the city’s five strategic development priorities, aiming to train high-quality human resources. The city plans to establish a high-standard education hub covering all levels, from primary to postgraduate education, and is seeking investment in this sector.

In addition, areas such as high-tech agriculture, culture, and tourism development also present significant opportunities for cooperation.

Duoc expressed hope that Luxon’s visit would open new investment opportunities for New Zealand businesses in Ho Chi Minh City.

Luxon for his part acknowledged that Vietnam still has much to do to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045. He expressed hope that his visit would strengthen the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, and foster cooperation in key areas such as economy, education, tourism, and agriculture.

The PM emphasized that New Zealand is ready to discuss and connect on educational cooperation opportunities, such as bringing Vietnamese students to study in New Zealand or establishing joint training programmes and New Zealand-affiliated schools in Vietnam.

Higher education cooperation is a great starting point, and from there, the two countries can expand cooperation into other fields like economics, science and technology, and high-tech agriculture, suggested the PM.

Earlier, on February 27 evening, Luxon took a river cruise along the Saigon River, admiring the cityscape and experiencing hát bội, a traditional Vietnamese theatrical art form that has existed for centuries.

Vietnam, New Zealand agree to upgrade ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

VOV.VN - Vietnam and New Zealand have agreed to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.