This marks Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's first official visit to Vietnam since taking office. The trip coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations (June 19, 1975 – June 19, 2025) and takes place at a time when bilateral ties are flourishing. The visit aims to strengthen political trust, deepen the Strategic Partnership, and beef up practical cooperation between the two countries.

Following the ceremony, they proceeded to the Government Office for official talks. Before their meeting, the two Prime Ministers visited a photo exhibition showcasing Vietnam’s landscapes, people, and the growing Vietnam-New Zealand relationship, co-organized by the Government Office and the Vietnam News Agency.

Since establishing diplomatic ties five decades ago, and particularly after upgrading relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have pushed up a strong and substantive partnership, paving the way for expanded cooperation across multiple fields.

The two nations maintain regular high-level exchanges and dialogues. Vietnam is currently New Zealand’s 13th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$1.3 billion in both 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, New Zealand ranks as Vietnam’s 41st largest trading partner. Both sides are working towards a trade turnover of US$3 billion by 2026.

As of February 2025, New Zealand has run 55 investment projects in Vietnam with a total capital of US$208 million, ranking 39th out of 149 countries and territories with foreign direct investment in Vietnam. In return, Vietnam has 12 investment projects in New Zealand, with a total registered capital of US$43.9 million, ranking 30th among the 80 countries and territories where Vietnamese enterprises have invested. New Zealand has also maintained a stable and gradually increasing flow of ODA funding for Vietnam. The Vietnamese community in New Zealand currently numbers around 14,000 people.

On the multilateral front, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked closely together and offered mutual support at regional and international forums where both are members. They also actively advance cooperation under multiple free trade agreements they share.

This official visit servers as a valuable opportunity for both sides to assess and bolster cooperation across a variety of areas, particularly in fields where they share mutual interests, such as the green economy, digital transformation, circular economy, energy transition, agriculture, climate change adaptation, education, labor, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties. Notably, the two sides are considering elevating bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

New Zealand PM’s official visit – a milestone to elevate bilateral ties

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's official visit to Vietnam and participation in the ASEAN Future Forum from February 25-28 will mark a significant milestone which is expected to pave the way for the two countries to elevate their ties, Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung said.