UK Ambassador: Vietnam - UK cooperation boasts great prospects in many fields

Priority areas for promoting cooperation between Vietnam and the UK into the future include education, trade, climate change and clean energy, and innovation, according to British Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Iain Frew.

Regarding education, the Ambassador emphasized that thousands of Vietnamese students have been studying in the UK and supporting relations between the two countries. “I hope cooperation in this field will develop and become stronger within the relationship between the two countries,” Ambassador Frew added.

Trade in 2022 reached a record £6.9 billion ($8.6 billion), a 29 per cent increase from 2021 and nearly double the figure in 2013.

Earlier this year, the UK successfully struck a deal to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which Vietnam is a founding member and a strong supporter of the UK’s membership. This landmark agreement complements the bilateral UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

“Bilateral trade with impressive numbers from the UKVFTA and the CPTPP will bring great opportunities in economic cooperation between the two countries,” the Ambassador said. “These effective agreements will create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to export to the UK.”

In addition, climate change, clean energy, and energy transition are important areas in the two countries’ and global cooperation. At COP26, Vietnam and the UK made a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions, becoming a goal of the two countries. The British Government expects there will be many renewable electricity farms in Vietnam.

Ambassador Frew said the UK has many companies evaluating and developing projects in the future. “We will share our experience with Vietnam,” he added. “This is a long-term project, so we hope to receive cooperation from the Vietnamese Government.”

The Vietnamese people are very creative. “I believe that innovation will also be an important area in the relationship between the two countries,” the Ambassador said.

There are many other areas in which the two countries can promote cooperation in the near future, such as agriculture, healthcare, and green finance.

Besides economics and politics, people-to-people relations between the two countries is also important. The number of tourists traveling between the two has increased again after Covid-19. This is also a foundation for strengthening relations between the two countries.

The future will have many challenges, but they are not unique to any one country and are being experienced globally, including supply challenges, global energy issues, and pandemics. Vietnam faces challenges in terms of infrastructure, energy transition, and advanced education to ensure a high-quality workforce. “I believe that with the relationship between the two countries, supporting each other will help us overcome these challenges in the future,” Ambassador Frew noted.

This weekend, on September 9 and 10, the British Embassy in Hanoi is excited to hold the highly-anticipated UK Festival, set to grace Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in the heart of Hanoi.

This spectacular event marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the UK and Vietnam, showcasing the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two.

Bringing together more than 60 partners, the UK Festival promises an unparalleled experience, inviting all individuals to join together in celebrating the rich tapestry of UK - Vietnam partnership as well as UK culture and arts.

With an array of engaging activities, the festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the UK’s contributions to and deep connections with Vietnam.

After Hanoi, the UK Festival will head to Ho Chi Minh City on September 16 and to Da Nang on October 16. This is an invaluable chance to deepen friendships, amplify understanding, and spark innovative dialogue across diverse fields.