The visit coincides with the two countries’ celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and is also Speaker Brownlee’s first visit to Vietnam since taking office.

In recent years, Vietnam and New Zealand have maintained regular high-level exchanges. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to New Zealand in March 2024, while New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Vietnam in February 2025 to attend the second ASEAN Future Forum.

During Prime Minister Luxon’s visit, the two countries elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Previously, they had established a Comprehensive Partnership during the visit to New Zealand by General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in September 2009.

Both sides are determined to raise two-way trade to US$3 billion by 2026. Economic, trade and investment cooperation is a key pillar of bilateral ties, as the two countries have many complementary strengths.

As of August 2025, New Zealand had 57 investment projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of US$208.6 million, while Vietnam had 12 projects in New Zealand with total registered capital of US$44 million. In development cooperation (ODA), New Zealand has consistently supported Vietnam, pledging NZ$26.7 million in non-refundable aid for the 2021–2024 period, similar to its commitment for 2018–2021.

Cooperation in agriculture, education and training, defence and security, and labor has made steady progress. The two sides are also expanding cooperation in new areas such as the green economy, digital economy, energy transition, sustainable development, and climate change commitments.

Within multilateral frameworks, Vietnam and New Zealand work hand in hand and support each other at international and regional organizations and forums. Their legislatures also coordinate closely at inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

The visit by Speaker Brownlee is expected to consolidate political trust, deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and promote Vietnam-New Zealand relations in a more substantive and effective manner.

During the visit, he is scheduled to hold talks with NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and meet with other senior Party and State leaders.

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