During the talks, PM Hung congratulated New Zealand on its achievements in maintaining macroeconomic stability and ensuring social welfare, while thanking Christopher Luxon for his important contributions to bilateral ties, particularly the elevation of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025.

PM Christopher Luxon once again congratulated Le Minh Hung on his election by Vietnam’s National Assembly as PM and affirmed that Vietnam is one of New Zealand’s priority partners. He also praised Vietnam’s impressive development as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.

The Vietnamese Government chief said Vietnam highly values New Zealand as a trusted partner that supported the country early on in English-language training, human resource development, cadre training and official development assistance in important areas such as agriculture, climate change response and disaster risk management.

On the foundation of political trust and effective cooperation, PM Hung proposed that the two sides focus on six major directions in the coming period, including strengthening political trust through high-level exchanges and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, while augmenting more substantive cooperation in defense and security, particularly maritime capacity-building, naval exchanges and maritime security.

The two PMs expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and agreed to further boost economic, trade and investment cooperation, aiming to raise two-way trade to US$3 billion.

They also concurred to facilitate greater market access for each country’s key products and work closely together to effectively implement free trade agreements to which both countries are parties, including the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The agreements, they said, will help strengthen domestic resilience and economic self-reliance of both countries amid current global uncertainties.

PM Christopher Luxon also expressed support for Vietnam’s role as rotating chair of the CPTPP in 2026.

Both PMs shared their respective measures to stabilize macroeconomic conditions and respond to fuel price fluctuations, including fiscal policies and support measures for businesses and people.

They also consented to ramp up cooperation in climate change response, energy transition and sustainable agriculture, including promoting low-emission farming models and renewable energy development, particularly wind and solar power.

PM Hung proposed that New Zealand continue expanding scholarships for Vietnamese students and strengthen links between universities and research institutes of the two countries. He also suggested increasing direct flights and more convenient connecting routes between Vietnam and New Zealand to facilitate travel and people-to-people exchanges.

Both PMs expressed concern over current global developments that have negatively affected regional economies, including Vietnam and New Zealand, driving up fuel and transport costs and disrupting global supply chains.

On this occasion, the two leaders also shared views on the importance of dialogue, international cooperation and respect for international law in resolving regional security challenges. They agreed to continue coordinating stance on regional and international issues of mutual concern, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

New Zealand–Vietnam Business Council to boost trade and investment ties

VOV.VN - Vietnam welcomes the launch of the New Zealand–Vietnam Business Council (NZVBC) in Auckland, describing the initiative as a timely and practical contribution to implementing the Vietnam–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2025, said a diplomat.