In a recent media interview ahead of the visit, British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew described the trip as a historic and highly significant event that ushers in a new phase in Vietnam-UK relations.

He said the highlight of the visit would be the high-level political dialogue between the two countries’ leaders, adding that maintaining trust and communication at the highest level would enable both sides to advance shared interests from free trade and global security to tackling international challenges in an increasingly uncertain world.

According to the ambassador, the visit will further strengthen the growing and substantive cooperation between the two nations in several key areas.

In economy and technology, the two sides are expected to deepen cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and emerging technologies- areas crucial to Vietnam’s next stage of development.

In finance, the UK is working closely with Vietnam as the latter seeks to develop international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang city, sharing experience to help build professional financial services and legal infrastructure that can fuel sustainable economic growth.

Education and skills development will remain a central pillar of cooperation, ensuring that Vietnamese youth are equipped with the skills needed for the future economy.

On green transition and energy cooperation, Frew expressed confidence that discussions in London would translate ambitions into concrete programs benefiting both countries.

He also underlined the importance of global cooperation, noting that the two sides share many common interests from upholding a rules-based international order to maintaining free trade and secure supply chains.

The ambassador noted that the visit coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership, a milestone that reflects the steady expansion of cooperation across multiple sectors.

He highlighted strong progress in trade, education, finance, security, and climate cooperation, citing that bilateral trade has nearly tripled over the past decade to over £9 billion a year, supported by the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last year.

Education has also been a success story. Over the past 15 years, more than 75,000 Vietnamese students have studied in the UK, with around 12,000 currently enrolled each year. Beyond the numbers, these educational ties form enduring bridges between the two countries, as many alumni now contribute to Vietnam’s development and to bilateral relations.

British education is also playing a growing role within Vietnam. UK institutions are supporting the Ministry of Education and Training in its plan to make English the country’s second language, while joint university programs such as those offered by the University of London and other leading UK institutions, allow Vietnamese students to access high-quality British degrees at home.

Climate and green transition have become another defining area of partnership. Following Vietnam’s historic net-zero pledge at COP26 in 2021, the two countries have worked hand in hand under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework. Recently, a UK energy delegation visited Vietnam to support the development of offshore wind power- a field in which the UK has extensive expertise.

In defense and security, the UK has supported Vietnam’s international integration, including its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations -a dynamic area of cooperation contributing to regional and global stability.

Reflecting on Vietnam’s development, Ambassador Frew described the country’s progress as “one of the most remarkable success stories globally.” Over the past three decades, he said, Vietnam has transformed from a low-income to a middle-income economy, lifting millions out of poverty through sustained reform and long-term investment.

He noted that Vietnam now enjoys solid foundations for the next stage of growth, a young and well-educated population, strategic location, dynamic manufacturing base, and extensive trade integration.

While challenges remain in moving up the global value chain and attracting high-tech investment, he expressed confidence in Vietnam’s recent policy directions. He cited Resolution 57, which identifies innovation as the core driver of economic growth, and Resolution 68, which recognizes the private sector as the main engine of the economy, as sound strategic steps.

With the right partners, including the UK, and by seizing global opportunities while addressing challenges, Vietnam is well positioned to continue its remarkable journey and realize its vision of becoming a high-income developed nation by 2045, the ambassador said.

Vietnam desires to further enhance strategic partnership with UK

VOV.VN - Vietnam always values and seeks to further strengthen its strategic partnership with the United Kingdom, a key partner of Vietnam in Europe, said Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Acting Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung during his phone talks with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on the evening of October 18.