The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Lê Minh Hưng, met with Iain Frew, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Vietnam, in Hanoi on Wednesday. During the meeting, PM Hưng emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to maintaining strong relations with the UK. He expressed gratitude to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his congratulatory letter following Hưng’s election to the prime ministerial post. The meeting highlighted the positive role played by Ambassador Frew and the British Embassy in strengthening the bilateral relationship, notably marked by the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Party General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit to the UK in October 2025.
Prime Minister Hưng pointed out the vast potential for cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in various sectors such as trade, investment, finance, science and technology, education, green transition, renewable energy, as well as defense and security. He proposed that both nations increase delegation exchanges and high-level visits to enhance their collaboration. Additionally, he called for the swift development of an action plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Hưng set an ambitious goal of boosting bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2026 and $15 billion in the future, assuring that Vietnam will continue to provide favorable conditions for foreign investors, including those from the UK, to thrive sustainably in the country.
PM Hưng also underlined the significance of cooperation in developing the Vietnam International Financial Centre (VIFC). He urged the UK to assist Vietnam in enhancing its institutional frameworks, legal systems, and financial tools, and in gathering resources for key infrastructure projects that align with their strategic partnership. Additionally, he expressed appreciation for the UK’s support of the Vietnamese community in the UK, urging continued efforts to facilitate their integration and contribution to both nations’ prosperity.
Ambassador Frew, in response, praised Vietnam’s recent socio-economic progress and reiterated his commitment to deepening bilateral ties across various domains. He acknowledged Vietnam’s upcoming role as Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026 and assured that the UK is keen to work closely with Vietnam to promote both bilateral and international trade. British investors, he noted, are optimistic about Vietnam’s economic prospects, particularly in the energy, finance, and green transition sectors, expressing the UK’s interest in being a long-term partner in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
Frew agreed with PM Hưng’s proposals, committing to ongoing collaboration in defense and security, science, technology, and innovation. He emphasized the importance of connecting expert networks and supporting high-tech training, advancing educational cooperation, and promoting English as a second language in Vietnam. Both leaders also concurred on the need to strengthen coordination at multilateral platforms, enhance ASEAN–UK relations, and ensure freedom and security of navigation, contributing to regional and global peace and development.