In a meeting held in Hà Nội on Wednesday, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng welcomed the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Việt Nam, Iain Frew, emphasizing the significance Việt Nam places on its relationship with the UK. During the interaction, PM Hưng expressed gratitude to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his congratulatory message following Hưng’s election as prime minister. He commended Ambassador Frew and the British Embassy for their roles in advancing the bilateral relationship, which saw an upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Party General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit to the UK in October 2025.
Hưng highlighted the vast potential for collaboration between the two nations in several sectors, including trade, investment, finance, science, and technology. He proposed further delegation exchanges and high-level visits to strengthen ties, along with developing an action plan to implement the Việt Nam–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Additionally, he suggested increasing bilateral trade turnover with a target of reaching $10 billion by 2026 and aspiring for $15 billion by enhancing market access. The prime minister reassured that Việt Nam welcomes and supports foreign businesses, including those from the UK, ensuring conducive conditions for sustainable operations.
Focusing on financial collaboration, PM Hưng underscored the importance of the UK’s continued support in developing Việt Nam’s International Financial Centre. He called for assistance in enhancing institutional frameworks, legal structures, and financial instruments while mobilizing resources for key infrastructure projects that align with the strategic partnership. He also urged the UK to continue supporting the integration of the Vietnamese community in the UK, enabling them to contribute to the host nation’s socio-economic progress and bilateral relations.
Ambassador Frew congratulated Việt Nam on its socio-economic progress, expressing a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across various fields. He acknowledged Việt Nam’s role as Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026, emphasizing the UK’s readiness to collaborate closely to enhance trade. Frew noted British investors’ confidence in Việt Nam’s economic prospects, particularly in energy, finance, and the green transition, expressing the UK’s intent to be a lasting partner in the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Frew concurred with PM Hưng’s proposals, pledging ongoing coordination in defense and security cooperation while advancing collaboration in science, technology, and innovation. This includes connecting expert networks, supporting high-tech human resources training, and facilitating education cooperation, with a focus on making English a second language in Vietnamese schools. Both sides also agreed on the importance of reinforcing coordination at multilateral platforms, strengthening ASEAN–UK relations, and promoting dialogue and cooperation to ensure regional and global peace and stability.