New Zealand to Host State Visit by Viet Nam President
Viet Nam’s President and Party General Secretary, His Excellency To Lam, will make a State visit to New Zealand on August 12-13, according to an announcement by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. This visit marks the first time a President of Viet Nam has visited New Zealand since 2007.
President To Lam and his delegation will participate in a series of events in Auckland, including a State Welcome at Government House, meetings with Governor-General, Prime Minister Luxon, and Speaker Gerry Brownlee, as well as a State Lunch hosted by the Governor-General.
The visit comes after New Zealand and Viet Nam elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. According to Prime Minister Luxon, “With a population of more than 100 million people and GDP growth of 8 percent last year, Viet Nam is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies and an increasingly significant partner for New Zealand.”
Two-way trade between the two countries has seen significant growth, reaching NZ$3.41 billion in the year to March 2026, a 72 percent increase over five years. Prime Minister Luxon expressed his desire to build on this growth across various sectors, including food and fibre, education, tourism, technology, aviation, and investment, which would support more exports and jobs in New Zealand.
As an influential member of ASEAN, APEC, and the CPTPP, Viet Nam’s partnership with New Zealand is expected to support the country’s prosperity and security. Prime Minister Luxon stated, “I look forward to welcoming President To Lam and discussing the next phase of our relationship.”
Article source: scoop.co.nz | Image credit: Vietnam News
