At the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, General Secretary To Lam, accompanied by his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom from October 28 to 30.

This visit carries a clear and consistent foreign policy message: affirming Vietnam’s independent and self-reliant diplomacy aimed at peace, cooperation, and development, while actively pursuing multilateralization and diversification of international relations. It also reflects Vietnam’s commitment to proactive and comprehensive global integration, being a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community.

Notably, the visit coincides with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership (2010-2025), marking a significant milestone for both countries to reflect on their cooperation journey, review notable achievements, and chart new development directions.

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General Secretary To Lam meets with British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew on October 17. Photo: VNA

Prior to the visit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that the UK is a global power, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and one of the world’s leaders in science and technology, defense and security, finance, and innovation.

These fields align closely with Vietnam’s current strategic development needs as the country accelerates industrialization, modernization, and deeper integration into the global economy.

The visit by General Secretary To Lam is expected to unlock new breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation, especially in areas where the two countries’ strengths complement one another.

Foreign Ministry leaders believe the visit will open a new chapter in Vietnam-UK relations, offering long-term and sustainable cooperation orientations that suit both nations’ interests and capacities.

Vietnam and the UK established diplomatic relations on September 11, 1973. The UK was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam.

Over more than half a century, the friendship and close bonds between the two peoples have been continuously strengthened and expanded.

The visit demonstrates Vietnam’s priority for traditional Western European partners, particularly the UK, in its foreign policy and international integration process.

It comes at a time when the Vietnam-UK relationship is flourishing, delivering many positive results.

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Vietnamese people in the UK parade in traditional costumes through the streets of London to celebrate the 80th National Day. Photo: VNA

In 2010, the two countries signed a Joint Declaration establishing the Strategic Partnership, ushering in a new phase of bilateral cooperation. In 2020, on the 10th anniversary of the partnership, they issued another Joint Declaration outlining cooperation directions for the next decade.

In terms of economy, trade, and investment, the UK is currently Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in Europe, while Vietnam is the UK’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia.

The UK has 587 valid investment projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital of approximately USD 4.46 billion, ranking 15th out of 152 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Vietnam was also one of the first countries to sign a free trade agreement with the UK post-Brexit. This agreement has been well-utilized, leading to rapid annual growth in bilateral trade.

In science and technology, the two sides have carried out around 50 joint research projects and several other cooperative activities. Regarding environment and climate change, the UK serves as a coordinator and has actively supported Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with the International Partners Group (IPG).

In development cooperation, the UK remains one of Vietnam’s leading donors through the Prosperity Fund, Newton Fund, and the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) program.

The UK is also a top destination for Vietnamese students. Currently, over 12,000 Vietnamese students are enrolled in universities and educational institutions across the UK. Additionally, thousands of Vietnamese experts and intellectuals are working in the UK across sectors such as science, technology, finance, and innovation.

Cultural, sports, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have also yielded significant results.

These achievements stem from the shared determination and efforts of both sides, including contributions from businesses and citizens in each country.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang stated that these are important foundations to expect the upcoming visit to elevate bilateral relations to a new, stronger, and more comprehensive level, while opening up breakthrough directions that align with each country’s potential and practical needs.

“We look forward to major cooperation projects being launched, a variety of exchange activities being organized, and our peoples growing closer in mutual understanding,” she added.

Tran Thuong