In a significant diplomatic meeting in Hà Nội, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng engaged with the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Việt Nam, Iain Frew, to reinforce the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. The prime minister emphasized Việt Nam’s commitment to its relationship with the UK, expressing gratitude to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his congratulatory message following Hưng’s election. He recognized the contributions of Ambassador Frew and the British Embassy in enhancing relations, particularly highlighting the elevation of Việt Nam–UK ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Party General Secretary Tô Lâm’s official visit to the UK in October 2025.
Prime Minister Hưng identified multiple areas ripe for cooperation, including trade, investment, finance, science and technology, education, green transition, renewable energy, and security. He proposed increasing delegation exchanges and high-level visits to further these objectives, while also calling for a detailed action plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Hưng set an ambitious target for bilateral trade, aiming for a turnover of $10 billion by 2026, with a longer-term goal of reaching $15 billion, facilitated by mutual market access improvements. The Vietnamese government, he assured, is committed to providing optimal conditions for British businesses in Việt Nam.
The prime minister also underscored the significance of collaboration in establishing the Việt Nam International Financial Centre (VIFC). He urged the UK to continue supporting Việt Nam’s efforts to enhance institutional frameworks, develop legal and financial systems, and secure resources for key infrastructure projects. Additionally, he expressed appreciation for the UK’s support in integrating the Vietnamese community within the UK, fostering socio-economic contributions to both nations.
Ambassador Frew lauded Việt Nam’s socio-economic progress and expressed a keen interest in deepening the bilateral relationship. He acknowledged Việt Nam’s leadership role in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026, reaffirming the UK’s readiness to work closely with Việt Nam to bolster both bilateral and international trade. Frew noted the positive outlook of British investors on Việt Nam’s growth, particularly in energy and green transition sectors, and emphasized the UK’s desire to be a lasting partner in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
Concuring with Prime Minister Hưng’s proposals, Frew assured continued cooperation in defense and security, as well as in science, technology, and innovation. He highlighted the UK’s intention to support Việt Nam in connecting expert networks, advancing human resources training in high-tech sectors, and promoting educational initiatives such as making English a second language in Vietnamese schools. Both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining robust coordination in multilateral forums, enhancing ASEAN-UK relations, and ensuring regional peace and stability through dialogue and cooperation, particularly in maritime security.