A new stature for a strong and enduring partnership

During the visit, the two sides agreed to elevate Viet Nam UK relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a significant milestone in the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations, and reflecting their shared vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future.

The official visit to the UK by Party General Secretary To Lam took place in the context of the positive development of Viet Nam UK friendship and cooperation over the past five decades, since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973. Important milestones include the 2010 Joint Declaration on upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and the 2020 Joint Declaration on outlining a 10-year direction to deepen the strategic partnership. Building on the foundation of mutual trust and positive cooperation, during the visit, the two sides issued a Joint Declaration on upgrading Viet Nam UK relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the visit, the UK leaders and people extended a warm and respectful welcome to Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation. Party General Secretary To Lam held talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer; met the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Speaker of the House of Lords; received a representative of the Royal Family the Duke of Richmond; met the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain, leaders of the Conservative Party, and the UK Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group; attended a High-Level Economic Conference and the Viet Nam UK Business Dialogue; delivered a policy address at the University of Oxford; and held discussions with leaders of major corporations and financial institutions as well as with experts and strategists in technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

In all meetings and exchanges, Party General Secretary To Lam and UK leaders emphasised that both sides attach great importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and the UK, expressing their wish to further promote a sustainable and long-term strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of the two peoples, and to share and support each other at international and regional forums. Viet Nam affirmed its respect for the UK’s role and position and regards the UK as one of its leading partners in Europe. The UK, in turn, affirmed that it considers Viet Nam one of its leading partners in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region.

Recognising the vast potential for expanding cooperation in the new period, the two sides agreed to elevate their bilateral relations, setting out major orientations to strengthen traditional friendship, enhance comprehensive cooperation, and promote long-term benefits for both peoples towards shared goals of peace, social progress, and sustainable development.

The Joint Declaration on upgrading Viet Nam UK relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership outlines six key pillars of cooperation in the new phase, reflecting the new stature of bilateral ties, including strengthening political, diplomatic, and defence and security cooperation; enhancing cooperation in economics, trade, investment, and finance; advancing collaboration in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and health; promoting cooperation on environment, energy, and green transition; expanding cooperation in education, culture, sports, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, equality, and other fields; and increasing coordination on regional and international issues.

During the visit, the two sides also signed an agreement on migration cooperation and a series of accords covering various areas such as economy, green finance, education and training, healthcare, clean and renewable energy, and local cooperation. The Vietnamese and UK leaders’ issuance of the Joint Declaration upgrading Viet Nam UK relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, together with these cooperation agreements, lays a solid foundation for implementing the new strategic framework and further deepening the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. This marks a prominent success of the official visit to the UK by Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation.

Over more than half a century since establishing diplomatic ties and 15 years of implementing the strategic partnership framework, Viet Nam and the UK have forged a strong and enduring partnership built on mutual respect, shared benefits and a common vision of peace, cooperation and development.

With the framework of the newly established Viet Nam UK comprehensive strategic partnership, relations have entered a new stage, assuming a broader stature and long-term strategic position that reflects the aspirations and interests of both peoples, and continuing to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.