On the afternoon of May 20, at the Government Headquarters, Politburo Member, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Vietnam Iain Frew.
At the reception, affirming that Vietnam always values relations with the UK, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasized that the two countries still have much room for cooperation in the fields of trade - investment, finance, science - technology, education - training, green transformation, renewable energy and defense - security, requesting the two sides to strengthen delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially at high levels; urgently coordinate to develop an Action Plan to implement the Vietnam - UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides promote the increase of bilateral trade turnover to 10 billion USD in 2026 and aim for the milestone of 15 billion USD in the near future, through expanding markets for each other's goods; affirming that the Vietnamese Government always creates favorable conditions for foreign businesses, including British businesses, to do business and invest long-term and effectively in Vietnam.
Emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation in building and developing the International Financial Center in Vietnam, the Prime Minister requested the UK to continue to support Vietnam in perfecting institutions, building a legal framework, developing financial products and tools to mobilize resources for strategic infrastructure projects, implement projects with spillover effects and symbolic nature, commensurate with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Expressing his honor to be given time to receive the Prime Minister, Ambassador Iain Frew congratulated Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements in the past time; affirmed his desire to continue to contribute to promoting the relationship between the two countries to become increasingly deep, substantive and effective in all fields.
The Ambassador highly appreciated Vietnam's role as Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026; affirmed that the UK is ready to cooperate with Vietnam to promote bilateral and international trade.
The Ambassador said that British investors highly appreciate Vietnam's development prospects, especially in the fields of energy, finance and green transformation; emphasizing that the UK wishes to be Vietnam's long-term partner in implementing the Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
Ambassador Iain Frew affirmed that he will continue to closely coordinate to maintain the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms on security and defense; promote cooperation in science and technology and innovation, connect networks of experts, investors and investment funds; support training high-tech human resources, towards promoting educational cooperation, supporting making English the second language in schools in Vietnam, accompanying Vietnam in green finance development and building international financial centers.
