General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation are on an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) from October 28 to 30, 2025 at the invitation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Taking place on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries (2010–2025), the visit provides an important opportunity for leaders of both sides to discuss and reach consensus on orientations for further strengthening and elevating bilateral relations to a new height in the coming period. It also aims to expand cooperation in new fields where the UK has strengths and that align with Viet Nam’s development needs.

STRENGTHENING POLITICAL TRUST AND ECONOMIC CONNECTIVITY

Viet Nam and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations on September 11, 1973. In September 2010, the two countries signed a Joint Declaration on the establishment of the Viet Nam–UK Strategic Partnership.

Over the years, bilateral relations have developed substantively and effectively across all areas, commensurate with the level of the Viet Nam–UK Strategic Partnership. The Party and State of Viet Nam have consistently attached great importance to further strengthening and advancing this partnership to a new stage of development, meeting the expectations of the peoples of both nations and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Meanwhile, the UK values the development of its Strategic Partnership with Viet Nam and regards Viet Nam as one of its most important partners in the region.

Both sides have regularly maintained exchanges and contacts at all levels; effectively implemented bilateral cooperation mechanisms; and strengthened coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and within the ASEAN–UK cooperation framework. Viet Nam has actively supported the UK in its negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The Viet Nam–UK Strategic Partnership is now developing positively and fruitfully, with many outstanding achievements in bilateral cooperation as well as effective coordination between the two countries at multilateral forums and international organisations.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, the two countries signed the Viet Nam–UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), which officially took effect on December 31, 2020. Currently, the UK is Viet Nam’s third-largest trading partner in Europe. Bilateral trade turnover in 2024 reached 8.4 billion USD, an increase of 18% compared to 2023; in the first six months of 2025, it reached 4.3 billion USD, up nearly 10% over the same period in 2024.

The UK ranks 15th among countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. British investment projects in Viet Nam focus mainly on the fields of finance and banking, information technology, manufacturing, renewable energy, and service industries such as education, healthcare, transport, and real estate. These are sectors where the UK holds strong advantages and which align closely with Viet Nam’s orientations for economic development, green transition, and innovation.

STRENGTHENING COOPERATION POTENTIAL

Education and training are a highlight of bilateral cooperation. The UK has prioritised developing cooperation with Viet Nam in this field through the British Council in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City; and by actively promoting participation of leading UK universities in joint training programmes and higher education development cooperation in Viet Nam.

So far, 32 joint training programmes between universities and colleges of the two countries have been established. The UK has also been actively supporting efforts to improve English language training capacity in Viet Nam and to expand scholarship opportunities for Vietnamese students to study in the UK. Currently, more than 12,000 Vietnamese pupils and students are studying at educational institutions across the UK.

In addition, the UK is one of Viet Nam’s most active and regular partners in the fields of environment, climate change, and implementation of commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). At the meeting in March 2022 in Germany, G7 Ministers approved the UK’s proposal to support a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between the G7 and Viet Nam.

Regarding cooperation between the two countries’ localities, Viet Nam’s Da Nang signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK city of Birmingham, prioritising five areas: economic development, trade and investment; digital infrastructure, innovation and technology, financial technology; education and training; sustainable development and the circular economy; and sport, tourism and cultural exchange. Vinh City also signed an MoU with Newhaven.

Cooperation between the two countries in the semiconductor sector holds considerable potential. On August 18, 2025, the UK Embassy in Viet Nam and the National Innovation Centre (NIC) jointly organised the Viet Nam-UK Semiconductor Forum. The UK has committed to long-term cooperation through the participation of leading technology and academic institutions such as ARM, Oxford Instruments, Renishaw and the University of Liverpool. On the Vietnamese side, Ha Noi University of Science and Technology, Viet Nam National University-Ha Noi, FPT Semiconductor and CT Semiconductor also presented plans for deeper participation in the global value chain.

Relations between the two countries still have substantial potential for development, particularly in the areas of defence and security, finance and monetary affairs, science and technology, labour, energy transition, climate change response, and others.

There are currently around 110,000 Vietnamese nationals in the UK, including some 12,000 pupils, students and postgraduate researchers. The majority of the Vietnamese community in the UK live in major cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester.

The success of the visit is expected to provide strong impetus for deepening the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the UK, reinforcing ties between Asia and Europe, and contributing to peace, stability, collaboration, and sustainable development across both regions and the wider world.