From February 25 to 28, Prime Minister Luxon will pay an official visit to Vietnam and participate in the second ASEAN Future Forum.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – June 19, 2025) and the fifth anniversary of their strategic partnership. Accompanied by a delegation of business leaders, the New Zealand prime minister will engage in a series of activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford, this visit holds special significance. She emphasized that Prime Minister Luxon’s government is prioritizing Southeast Asia in its foreign policy agenda, moving swiftly to reshape diplomatic strategies in the region. Vietnam is recognized as one of New Zealand’s most crucial partners both regionally and globally.

Thus, this visit is not only a celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties but also a strategic move to strengthen and expand relations with Vietnam amid global uncertainties.

Ambassador Beresford remarked: "If a relationship is like a fabric, then its structure is formed by threads woven together for resilience. Prime Minister Luxon's visit to Vietnam seeks to reinforce and tighten the threads that bind our two nations, especially in today's rapidly changing world."

Accompanying the prime minister are 25 business leaders from New Zealand, who are expected to sign multiple cooperation agreements with Vietnamese partners.

New Zealand hopes that this visit will open new business opportunities. "We will continue to strengthen our traditional collaborations in agriculture and education, but with the integration of cutting-edge research, science, and technology from New Zealand to create added value in these sectors.

This will not only support Vietnam’s economic growth but also elevate our bilateral relationship to new heights," Ambassador Beresford noted.

New Zealand has long relied on agriculture as a key economic driver, leveraging advanced technology to enhance productivity and product quality. As a result, New Zealand’s brands and products are gaining increasing traction in Vietnam.

Similarly, Vietnam supplies key agricultural products to New Zealand, including fresh potatoes, frozen beef, kiwifruit, apples, pumpkins, and strawberries.

In return, New Zealand has granted import permissions for Vietnamese mangoes, dragon fruit, rambutans, limes, and pomelos, with ongoing negotiations to open its market to Vietnamese longans, lychees, and fresh-cut flowers. Meanwhile, New Zealand is seeking access for its honey, pears, venison, and deer meat in Vietnam.

Looking back at the past five decades, Ambassador Beresford noted the remarkable progress in Vietnam-New Zealand relations. Initially focused on educational scholarships, the bilateral relationship has expanded significantly to encompass key areas such as politics, trade, agriculture, sustainable development, climate change, research, and education.

In December 2023, the two countries launched the Vietnam-New Zealand Maritime Dialogue. This initiative provides a platform for discussions on shared maritime interests and cooperation.

Additionally, Vietnam and New Zealand collaborate on regional matters of mutual concern, advocating for a rules-based international order and free trade to ensure shared prosperity.

Vietnam is entering a new era of growth, and Ambassador Beresford expressed admiration for the country's disciplined approach in shaping policies, particularly in economic development.

With 25 years of experience in foreign affairs and postings in five countries, including the United States, she remarked, "I have never encountered a policy development approach as rigorous, academic, and systematic as in Vietnam. When Prime Minister Luxon visits, I will tell him that if he returns in five years, he may not even recognize Vietnam. This is a truly inspiring nation, developing at a pace that amazes the world."

New Zealand is eager to contribute to Vietnam’s development story as a trusted partner and a sincere friend.

Prime Minister Luxon will also participate in the second ASEAN Future Forum, hosted by Vietnam. New Zealand strongly supports this initiative.

"We appreciate Vietnam’s leadership in introducing this platform to discuss ASEAN’s future, especially given the uncertainties facing the region and the world," Ambassador Beresford stated.

From New Zealand’s perspective, ASEAN’s central role is key to maintaining stability and prosperity across the region. "That’s why our prime minister is particularly keen to attend this forum," she added.

Tran Thuong