U.K. - Vietnam relations grow better than ever

According to Ambassador Iain Frew, the relationship between the two countries is at a “dynamic moment.” For more than a year since the start of his tenure in Vietnam, he has witnessed remarkable progress in U.K. - Vietnam relations in many fields.

Attentively, trade cooperation has seen profound outcomes. In detail, in 2022, the total bilateral trade turnover of the two sides achieved a new record of GBP 6.9 billion, a 29% increase from the previous year and nearly doubled the figure in 2013. This remarkable growth reflected the potential of U.K. - Vietnam economic ties, the British Ambassador added.

British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew (center) at the press conference

At the beginning of this year, the U.K. negotiated a deal to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), with the support of CPTPP member countries, including Vietnam. This agreement complemented the U.K. - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), further accelerating the growing trade relations between the U.K. and Vietnam. Moreover, cooperation in the educational sector has been enhanced. The U.K. is proud to be among the top destinations for Vietnamese students who wish to pursue their studies overseas. Universities and organizations in the U.K. are providing a range of scholarships to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese talented students to gain access to world-class education.

Also, he affirmed that the U.K. and Vietnam not only cooperate in education and trade but also in shared interests and challenges that both nations are encountering. Therefore, the U.K. is committed to collaborating with Vietnam to address those global challenges, including climate change.

Mentioning a series of high-level visits between the U.K. and Vietnam, including the visit by President Vo Van Thuong to the U.K. for the coronation of King Charles III (May 2023), Ambassador Iain Frew said he is looking forward to more significant visits from both countries. For a brighter future, the two sides have pledged to closely work together to further speed up their strategic partnership for mutual benefits.

Sharing with the press, the diplomat said that Vietnam is a beautiful country, rich in history and traditions, and Vietnamese people are creative. In the past two decades, Vietnam has seen impressively rapid development in economic and educational fields. In the time to come, Vietnam may face many global challenges; however, he expressed his belief that the U.K. and other international partners would make great efforts to support Vietnam.

Translated by Quynh Oanh