New Zealand Prime Minister begins official visit to Vietnam
During his visit, PM Luxon is scheduled to hold official talks with PM Chinh, pay courtesy calls on senior leaders of the Vietnamese Party, State, and National Assembly, and visit key economic, cultural, and educational establishments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrives at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on February 25. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Hanoi on the afternoon of February 25, beginning his official visit to Vietnam and participation in the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (ꦇAFF) from February 25 to 28, at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.
PM Luxon and his delegation were welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet.
During his visit, PM Luxon is scheduled to hold official talks with PM Chinh, pay courtesy calls on senior leaders of the Vietnamese Party, State, and National Assembly, and visit key economic, cultural, and educational establishments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
He will also attend and deliver a speech at the 2nd AFF, underscoring the importance New Zealand has attached to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vietnam is currently the coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand relations, with 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-New Zealand strategic partnership.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on February 25. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung said PM Luxon’s visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-New Zealand diplomatic relations and the fifth year of strategic partnership between the two countries. The trip is expected to elevate bilateral ties to new heights. Meanwhile, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford stressed that the visit, accompanied by a large business delegation, aims not only to celebrate five decades of diplomatic ties but also to deepen and expand relations with Vietnam, a key partner of New Zealand in the region.
The New Zealand government under PM Luxon places strong emphasis on strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam. PM Luxon has already met PM Chinh twice, during the latter’s official visit to New Zealand in March 2024 and on the occasion of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in October 2024. He also met Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong during the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week./.
Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon expressed optimism about his official visit to Vietnam, while emphasising the Southeast Asian economy's importance to New Zealand exporters. He described Vietnam as a huge opportunity for New Zealand and the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia.
The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City University of Science (VNU-HCMUS) that extends a historic relationship with a new focus on research activity in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and human-computer interaction.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the trip, Emeritus Professor Roberto Rabel from the Centre for Strategic Studies under New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington said that Luxon’s first visit to Vietnam as New Zealand Prime Minister is significant in providing him with the opportunity to see at first hand the vibrant socio-economic environment that has characterised Vietnam’s development in recent years.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
