PM Dung is scheduled to visit the Great Britain and Northern Ireland from March 3-5, Germany from March 6-8 and Ireland from March 9-10.

The European trip takes place at a time when Vietnam has constantly made important achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process. The country has maintained socio-political stability, achieved high economic growth in many consecutive years, constantly expanded external relations and deeply integrated into the regional and global economies. With its WTO and UN Security Council membership, Vietnam’s prestige and position have been elevated on the world arena.

The United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland are developed economies. Germany and the UK are the world’s third and sixth biggest economies respectively, while Ireland went from an underdeveloped nation in Europe and has now become an industrialised nation and a role model for other countries to follow suit. The political situation in the three countries is comparatively stable. They all want to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam.

The relations between Vietnam and the UK have developed well in recent years, particularly in economics, trade and investment. Bilateral political relations have also been strengthened through high-level visits to the UK by the then State President Tran Duc Luong in 2004 and the then Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Van An in 2005.

Currently, the UK is the biggest European Union provider of non-refundable aid for Vietnam, standing at US$100 million a year. Two-way trade has increased constantly, reaching US$1.9 billion in 2007. The UK now ranks third among EU investors in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of US$1.4 billion, mostly focusing on the oil and gas industry. Many leading British economic groups are operating efficiently in various fields in Vietnam such as oil and gas, mining, finance and banking, telecommunications and manufacturing of aircraft spare parts.

Bilateral cooperation in education and training is being enhanced through a post-graduate training programme and cooperation between universities in the two countries.

The overseas Vietnamese community in the UK numbers between 30,000-40,000, mostly residing in big cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham. They engage in small-scale business activities and services, and integrate themselves well into local communities.

The relations between Vietnam and Germany have also developed well in many fields through a frequent exchange of high-level visits. The then Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and incumbent Party General Secretary Nong  Duc Manh visited Germany in 2001 and 2004 respectively, while the German President visited Vietnam in 2007.

Germany is Vietnam’s biggest EU trade partner, with two-way trade reaching US$3 billion in 2007. Many big German groups are operating efficiently in Vietnam. However, German investment in Vietnam remains modest, far below the countries’ potential. Germany is also an important development aid provider for Vietnam, with US$120 million committed for the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

Currently, nearly 100,000 Vietnamese nationals are residing in Germany, making up 1.2 percent of the total number of foreigners in the country. The German Government has issued policies on the granting of citizenship certificates and residence permits to foreigners without discrimination. About 20 percent of Vietnamese nationals have received their citizenship certificates. Many of them have developed large-scale business activities and have worked in big German economic groups.

Though Vietnam and Ireland established their diplomatic ties in 1996, bilateral relations have seen positive developments. While attending the 5^th Asia-Europe Meeting in Hanoi in October 2004, the Irish Prime Minister decided to open the country’s Embassy in Hanoi.

Two-way trade remains modest, standing at around US$60 million a year. Ireland has not yet developed any investment projects in Vietnam. However, Vietnam is the only Asian country on Ireland’s ODA recipient list.