Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation are paying an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from October 28–30 at the invitation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
This trip marks the first visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the UK in 12 years, and coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Vietnam–UK Strategic Partnership (2010–2025). The visit aims to further deepen bilateral ties, contributing to implementing Vietnam’s development goals in the new stage and enhancing its international standing.
On September 11, 1973, the UK was one of the first western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam while Vietnam was still in the struggle for independence and national reunification. Throughout the history, especially since both countries decided to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership in 2010, they have witnessed robust developments in their ties.
In 2020, on the 10th anniversary of the partnership, both sides issued a joint statement outlining directions for the next decade, focusing on seven priority areas, namely politics - diplomacy; trade, investment and business environment; sustainable development; education-training; defence–security and organised crime prevention; people-to-people and equality initiatives; and regional and international issues.
Vietnam and the UK have maintained regular visits at all levels. Recent Vietnamese visits include Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to the UK for COP26 in 2021; and Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Chairman of the Central Theory Council Nguyen Xuan Thang’s and Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang’s working visits in 2025.
On the UK side, there are visits by First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dominic Raab in September 2020 and June 2021, Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace in July 2021, Minister for the Cabinet Office of the UK, COP26 President Alok Sharma in February and August 2022), and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain Robert Griffiths in Septemer 2025.
Bilateral mechanisms such as the Strategic Dialogue at deputy ministerial level, annual Defence Policy Dialogue at deputy ministerial level, and Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) have been maintained. The two countries also cooperate closely in peacekeeping, cybersecurity, and organised crime prevention, and migration management.
Trade-investment cooperation remains a cornerstone of the bilateral strategic partnership. Since the Vietnam–UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) took effect in 2021, bilateral trade has grown steadily despite global economic headwinds. The UK is Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in Europe, while Vietnam is the UK’s biggest partner in Southeast Asia.
Bilateral trade reached 8.4 billion USD in 2024, up 18% year-on-year, and 4.3 billion USD in the first half of 2025. Both sides aim to raise trade to 10 billion USD soon. The UK currently has 587 investment projects worth 4.46 billion USD in Vietnam, focusing on finance-banking, information technology, renewable energy, education, healthcare, logistics, and real estate.
The upcoming Viet Nam–UK Business Summit 2025, scheduled for November 5 in Ho Chi Minh City, will focus on Vietnam's international financial centre development and renewable energy, two strategic areas of mutual interest.
According to UK Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Alexandra Smith, the UK remains committed to supporting Vietnam’s sustainable growth goals, from green finance, renewable energy, climate resilience, to education.
UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew noted that the two countries’ cooperation on climate and green transition has strengthened significantly, particularly through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), with the UK serving as a key coordinator.
Education and science-technology collaboration have also flourished, with student exchanges and partnerships between leading universities, and joint research projects. Around 12,000 Vietnamese students are studying in the UK, while several UK universities have established campuses in Vietnam.
This visit by Party General Secretary Lam is of significance, particularly in strengthening and elevating the bilateral relationship to a new height in the coming time. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasised that the visit reaffirms Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development, and diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, while underscoring the country’s determination to proactively and comprehensively integrate into the international community, and positioning itself as a reliable friend, trusted partner, and responsible member of the global community.
In particular, the visit coincides with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership (2010–2025), providing an important opportunity for both countries to reflect on their past cooperation, assess the notable achievements, and set a new vision and direction for the future development of their ties.
Therefore, the trip is expected to drive new breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas with mutual strengths, Hang said, affirming that it will support the effective implementation of key Politburo resolutions on science and technology, innovation, international integration, institutional reforms, private sector growth, education, public health, and energy security./.
