Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – Vietnam-New Zealand relations have achieved leapfrog development, with the two countries elevating their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in February 2025. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1975-2025). These 50 years have recorded numerous achievements in cooperation, reflecting Vietnam and New Zealand's firm confidence in the future of bilateral cooperation and their determination to elevate relations to new heights in this new era of cooperation.
In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Oceania, Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Phan Minh Giang stated that the two countries will continue high-level visits and delegation exchanges at all levels and through all channels to promote bilateral relations based on a high degree of political mutual trust and increasingly consolidated strategic trust. This includes the visit of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to New Zealand from November 19 to 21 at the invitation of the New Zealand government. Ambassador Phan Minh Giang emphasized that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing relations with New Zealand, one of the important comprehensive strategic partners in the region.
Phan Minh Giang pointed out that over the past 50 years, Vietnam-New Zealand relations have been continuously nurtured, consolidated, and developed, achieving many important results. However, the potential for cooperation between the two countries remains enormous, with many untapped opportunities and advantages to be fully explored and effectively utilized. Vietnam and Singapore unanimously adopted a joint statement in February 2025, elevating bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and ushering in a new era of cooperation.
Phan Minh Giang stated that, in addition to promoting political relations and fostering more substantive defense and security cooperation, the two countries should strengthen trade and investment cooperation to more effectively move towards the goal of achieving US$3 billion in bilateral trade by 2026. At the same time, education and training, and high-quality human resource development should continue to be important pillars of bilateral cooperation.
Phan Minh Giang also stated that opening more direct air routes between the two countries will actively support these efforts, facilitating economic, trade, investment, cultural, educational, people-to-people exchanges, and tourism cooperation, thus further strengthening Vietnam-Singapore ties.
Phan Minh Giang believes that, against the backdrop of the continued profound evolution of the international and regional situation, the two countries should strengthen coordination and provide stronger mutual support in multilateral forums, including ASEAN-led mechanisms, the United Nations, and other forums.
Phan Minh Giang added that the Vietnamese community in New Zealand is an integral part of the Vietnamese nation, serving as an important and indispensable bridge. They maintain connections within the Vietnamese community and across generations, safeguard and promote national cultural characteristics, actively contribute to the development of bilateral relations, and foster friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and New Zealand people. The Vietnamese community in New Zealand, including many intellectuals, experts, scientists, and Vietnamese entrepreneurs, harbors a deep love for their homeland and a desire to contribute to national development. Various Vietnamese associations frequently organize diverse cultural activities, which help preserve national cultural characteristics, strengthen community cohesion, and maintain a connection to their roots and homeland.
Phan Minh Giang firmly believes that the upcoming meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha will be an opportunity for the Vietnamese community to express their feelings, aspirations, and valuable suggestions, and to contribute to the development of their homeland through investment and business. This meeting will further encourage the Vietnamese community to play a stronger bridging role, promote Vietnamese goods and brands, spread Vietnamese cultural characteristics and the fine traditions of our nation to New Zealand and international friends, and work together to realize the aspiration of building a strong, prosperous, and happy nation. (over)
