Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with UK Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in Hanoi on December 4, asking his guest to promote the establishment of a Vietnam-UK university in the Southeast Asian nation.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes UK Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in Hanoi on December 4

Welcoming Prince Andrew’s visit to Vietnam on the occasion of 45 years of the countries’ diplomatic ties, PM Phuc appreciated the Prince’s sentiments towards Vietnam and his contributions to bilateral relations.

Vietnam has always treasured ties with the UK, which holds an important role in Europe and the world, he affirmed, adding that the countries’ strategic partnership has grown with strength in all fields, from politics, diplomacy, trade, and investment, to security, defence, education-training, and tourism.

The UK attracts a large number of Vietnamese students, the PM said, noting that educational cooperation is a top priority in Vietnam’s cooperation with the European country. He also expressed that he highly values the British royal family and Government’s support for relations in this aspect.

He said Vietnam has worked with several countries to open universities, and it hopes the Prince will promote the foundation of a joint university in Vietnam.

At the meeting, PM Phuc also urged both sides to step up high-level delegation exchanges in the time ahead, while effectively maintaining cooperation mechanisms like the strategic dialogue and the joint committee for economic and trade affairs so as to intensify cooperation.

He expressed his delight at the trade-investment partnerships over the past few years and asked the countries to capitalise on their potential and advantages to support each other.

The leader called on Prince Andrew, with his role in and influence on the business circle, to encourage more British investment in Vietnam, adding that Vietnam always creates the best possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from the UK.

For his part, Prince Andrew voiced his support for a Vietnam-UK university. He also asked the two sides to promote cooperation in scientific research and connect their universities.

He noted that his country has been relatively successful in start-up activities and is developing a diverse economy that needs a high-quality young workforce. 

Vietnam is home to many small- and medium-sized enterprises and it should encourage them to create innovative ideas and connect them with major firms, including foreign ones like those of the UK, to help them spread their reach to the world. It also needs to create platforms for innovation and start-up ecosystems to attract the young, he added. 

Prince Andrew’s visit gives boost to Vietnam-UK ties: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets with the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in Hanoi on December 4

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a meeting with the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in Hanoi on December 4, expressing his belief that the guest’s visit will create new momentum for Vietnam and UK to optimize their complementary advantages.

Prince Andrew paid an official visit to Vietnam from December 2 to 4 at the invitation of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations.

Minh applauded the success of the Pitch@Palace entrepreneurship promotion event held by the Prince and British firms in Ho Chi Minh City on December 3.

To further strengthen bilateral ties, he asked the British royal family and Prince Andrew to encourage UK businesses to invest more in Vietnam, develop a Vietnam-UK university in Da Nang city, and step up cooperation in finance, education-training, science-technology, startup, and innovation.

The official also asked the Pitch@Palace organising board to work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology to continue implementing relevant activities in the time to come.

For his part, Prince Andrew said he has special sentiment towards Vietnam, and this was his seventh visit to the country.

He also asked Vietnam to continue optimal conditions for UK investors to do long-term business and assist the two countries’ companies to share information and partner with each other.

He highly valued bilateral collaboration in education, health care, tourism and United Nations peacekeeping activities, and at international organisations and forums.

The Prince also highlighted the potential for the countries’ cooperation in various fields, especially entrepreneurship and innovation.

After the meeting, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh and Prince Andrew witnessed the signing of two memoranda of cooperation between the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Department of Foreign Affairs of Localities and the British Business Group Vietnam and the British University Vietnam.

Vietnam treasures relations with UK: Party official

Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and head of the committee’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh (R) hosts UK Prince Andrew in Hanoi on December 4 

The Vietnamese Party and State always attach importance to enhancing ties with the UK, a Party official has said.

Pham Minh Chinh, Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and head of the committee’s Organisation Commission, made the affirmation at a reception for visiting UK Prince Andrew in Hanoi on December 4.

He said the Prince’s visit is a good opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in trade, investment and education. 

Chinh hoped that Prince Andrew, with his experience, knowledge and prestige, will continue encouraging UK enterprises to increase investment in Vietnam and foster collaboration with the country in startup and innovation, while supporting the connection between the two nations’ training establishments in order to meet Vietnam’s demand for high-quality human resources training.

For his part, Prince Andrew spoke highly of Vietnam’s recent significant achievements, affirming that he will continue efforts to contribute to bolstering the strategic partnership between the two countries in an intensive and practical manner.  

He also wished to actively coordinate with Vietnam’s relevant agencies to soon realise cooperation initiatives, especially in innovation and education-training connectivity.

VNA