Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh have sent messages of sympathy to New Zealand over the shooting incidents in Christchurch on March 15.

Foreign Ambassadors to Vietnam have extended Lunar New Year (Tet) wishes to Vietnamese people on the threshold of the country’s biggest traditional festival.

The first New Zealand government scholarships for Vietnamese secondary school students was announced in Ho Chi Minh City on January 17.

New Zealand Deputy Prime and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced that his country contributed 1 million USD to the International Federation of the Red Cross Emergency Appeal to help Indonesia’s recovery efforts following the recent devastating tsunami.

The Vietnam Trade Office partnered with the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the ASEAN-New Zealand Business Council to run the Vietnam-New Zealand Free Trade Breakfast last week, discussing various trade issues.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the Council of Trade Union of New Zealand (NZCTU) should cooperate in protecting each other’s guest workers and support each other at international labour forums, said VGCL President Bui Van Cuong.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern have agreed the two sides should accelerate exchange of visits at all levels to further enhance the comprehensive partnership towards the level of strategic one.

The New Zealand government announced on October 25 that it has formally ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Vietnam has actively joined in regional and global organisations and affirmed its position in the international arena, said Vice President of the Vietnam-US Society (VUS) Bui The Giang.

Vietnam and New Zealand on October 4 agreed to continue facilitating trade and investment between the two countries and providing broader access for agricultural products to each other’s market.

New Zealand’s (NZ) navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana F77 carrying 178 officers and crew members anchored at Sai Gon Port in Ho Chi Minh City on September 25, commencing its five-day visit to Vietnam.

Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc led a delegation to pay a working visit to Wellington of New Zealand from Sept. 16-19.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong asked for New Zealand (NZ)’s support in improving the value of farm produce during a meeting with NZ Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Food Safety, and Rural Communities Damien O’Connor in Hanoi on August 29.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested New Zealand support Vietnam to build a value chain for dragon fruit while receiving Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Food Safety, and Rural Communities Damien O’Connor in Hanoi on August 29.