During a meeting with the Vietnamese official on June 23, Beresford stressed New Zealand's strengths in hi-tech agriculture, digital transformation, digital government, digital healthcare, online education and space technology, affirming her country's readiness to support Viet Nam in areas of its interest, contributing to renewing cooperation contents.
Cuong, for his part, highly valued the ambassador's close coordination with MOFA and thanked New Zealand for sending a delegation to the recent ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) and supporting Viet Nam's candidacy for a judge to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 tenure.
The deputy minister highlighted the substantive and effective development of Viet Nam–New Zealand relationship across areas, calling for stronger cooperation to maximise existing strengths in education, agriculture, trade and people-to-people exchanges. He also urged close coordination in preparing for upcoming high-level bilateral activities to inject fresh momentum into the relations.
He proposed deepening science-technology cooperation to enhance the technological and economic resilience of each country, while expanding collaboration in areas aligned with Viet Nam's development priorities, including sustainable agriculture, climate change response, education-training and human resource development.
The two sides spoke highly of their close coordination at regional and international forums, particularly within ASEAN, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Cuong stated that Viet Nam is willing to work with New Zealand to advance ASEAN – New Zealand relations in a more substantive manner, contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.
