PM Nguyen Tan Dung presided over a ceremony to welcome UK PM David Cameron's official visit to Vietnam on July 29

This is the first time the UK Prime Minister pays an official visit to Vietnam since the establishment of Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties in 1973

UK PM David Cameron congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements and affirmed the UK Government’s willing to boost multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam

During their talks, the two PMs spoke highly of strengthened relations in a number of realms such as politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development cooperation, and education-training, as well as the increasing number of bilateral visits in recent years. They agreed to facilitate the exchange of visits at all levels and effectively implement existing dialogue mechanisms in politics, national defence-security, economics and trade.

They voiced concerns over recent tensions in the East Sea, especially large-scaled construction, expansion and changing of the status quo of reefs in the East Sea, which have threatened peace, stability and safety and freedom of navigation in the region

Both sides emphasised their common stance on peacefully settling regional territorial disputes, avoiding actions that could complicate the situation, not using force or threatening to use force, complying with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and striving to complete a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for UK Prime Minister David Cameron in Hanoi on July 29

The Party leader hoped that the UK would continue raising its positive voice for a peaceful settlement of disputes in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large

State President Truong Tan Sang received UK PM David Cameron on July 29. Sang thanked the UK for its support in the East Sea issue that has contributed to maintaining peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region.