Top Vietnamese legislator receives UK and NZ Ambassadors

Receiving the British diplomat, the top Vietnamese legislator affirmed Vietnam’s recognition of great importance to reinforcing its strategic partnership with the UK and hailed the recent progress in the bilateral relationship, especially the joint declaration on the occasion of the 10th founding anniversary of the strategic partnership (2010 - 2020) with a vision towards elevating the relationship in the next decade.

Frew thanked  the Vietnamese NA leader for his efforts in augmenting the Vietnam - UK cooperation, particularly the legislature’s ratification of the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

He shared Chairman Hue’s view that activities held in 2023 to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties have contributed to consolidating strategic trust between the two sides.

The ambassador emphasized that the strategic partnership covers a range of areas, from politics and diplomacy to economy, trade, investment, sustainable development, national defence and security, and health care, adding the UKVFTA has benefited both nations, as reflected through the increasing bilateral trade despite global trade turmoil last year.

Congratulating the UK on its joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last year, Hue affirmed that Vietnam had supported the country’s bid to become a member of the deal.

Along with the UKVFTA, the UK’s CPTPP membership is expected to create new momentum for the Vietnam - UK relations, consolidate their cooperation framework in trade and economy, and help their businesses diversify the markets and participate in the global supply chain more deeply, he said.

Hue took this occasion to call on British firms to increase investment in Vietnam, affirming that the NA and the government of Vietnam always step up efforts to improve the business environment for foreign investors, including those from the UK.

Greatly valuing the UK’s potential and capacity in the financial and monetary markets, the NA leader expressed his hope for stronger cooperation in this field, including the building of an international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam aspires to work with the UK to deal with global issues, including digital transformation and just energy transition, he said.

Chairman Hue asked the ambassador to convey his invitations to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker to soon pay official visits to Vietnam.

Frew emphasised that the UK desires to bolster cooperation with Vietnam through the Party and parliament channels, including exchanges and cooperation between young parliamentarians.

At the reception for New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson the same day, Hue applauded the outgoing diplomat’s contributions to relations between the two countries and their legislatures.

On this occasion, Hue thanked the New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam and the ambassador for supporting a high-ranking NA delegation led by him on a visit to New Zealand in June 2022.

She said she is very proud of joint achievements gained by the two nations during her term, praising their close coordination in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She also underlined the positive results of people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, defence, and security.

The ambassador affirmed the importance of tightening parliamentary cooperation between New Zealand and Vietnam, pledging to ramp up bilateral cooperation in any capacity.

The top legislator praised Tredene Dobson's contributions during the past three years have helped promote the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in a multitude of fields.

Particularly, the two sides facilitated the access of agricultural products to each other's markets.
On this occasion, Hue thanked New Zealand for actively supporting Vietnam with vaccines, ventilators, and resources to control the COVID-19 and recover its economy after the pandemic.

He said he and the Vietnamese NA will continue to offer favourable conditions for the New Zealand Embassy and Ambassador Tredene Dobson's successor to work in Vietnam as a contribution to bolstering cooperation between Vietnam and New Zealand as well as between the legislative bodies.