Hanoi welcomes New Zealand investment

THE HANOI TIMES — In an effort to strengthen ties between Vietnam and New Zealand, Hanoi encourages businesses, organizations and government agencies from New Zealand and its capital, Wellington, to invest in the city.

Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council, delivered this message at meetings with the Wellington authorities and New Zealand businesses. The meeting was part of his official visit to Australia and New Zealand from March 26 to April 4.

At the meetings, Tuan provided an overview of Hanoi's socio-economic development. He detailed areas of potential cooperation between Hanoi and New Zealand, especially Wellington.

Hanoi seeks cooperation on long-term urban planning, green economy policies, circular economy strategies and low-emissions initiatives, he said.

He called for high-level exchanges and closer ties between businesses, investors, organizations, and universities in Wellington and New Zealand with Hanoi in trade, tourism, and education.

"Hanoi encourages potential and committed foreign investors to expand their presence in the city, especially in green transformation, digital transformation, circular economy, knowledge economy, climate change response, supporting industries and technology-driven innovation," Tuan said.

He called on the New Zealand side to expand scholarship programs for Vietnamese students and improve English language training for teachers. He also highlighted the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges through cooperation in tourism, arts and heritage.

Tuan emphasized the potential for cooperation in the cultural and creative industries, especially as Hanoi and Wellington are both members of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, which provides a strong foundation for cooperation in innovation and cultural exchange.

During the meetings, the Hanoi leader presented the city's strengths and priority investment areas that are in line with global trends and can be integrated into global value chains.

These include advanced technology sectors, high value-added manufacturing, clean energy and sustainable development.

The meetings also saw New Zealand businesses and investors discuss opportunities with local authorities, district agencies and businesses in Hanoi. Their discussions focused on urban planning, infrastructure, transportation, environmental sustainability, digital economy models, and green economy development.

As Vietnam and New Zealand upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, cooperation between Hanoi and Wellington will continue to deepen and become more practical and effective, Chairman Tuan said.

He invited Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau to visit Hanoi and urged the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for further cooperation between the two capitals.

Mayor Whanau said the upgrading of Vietnam-New Zealand bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to Vietnam in February 2025 was an important milestone, she said.

Wellington, New Zealand's political and administrative capital, is ranked among the top 35 most innovative cities in the world and has a thriving cultural industry. The city's economy is driven by technology, creative industries, finance and media.

Wellington is committed to administrative reform, improving social welfare, and maintaining a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, said Mayor Whanau.

She also expressed interest in sharing experiences and cooperating with Hanoi on issues of mutual concern and urged both sides to explore areas of future cooperation.

While in Wellington, the Hanoi delegation visited the Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Trung stressed its importance in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. He said Vietnam-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership fuels new opportunities for cooperation between Hanoi and New Zealand cities.

Nguyen Ngoc Tuan urged the embassy to help negotiate a memorandum of understanding between Hanoi and Wellington, with an official signing in 2025 when the mayor of Wellington is expected to visit Hanoi.

Tuan also asked the embassy to support investment promotion efforts, trade exchanges, and tourism cooperation to help introduce Hanoi's business opportunities to New Zealand investors.

The Hanoi delegation’s visit followed New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official trip to Vietnam in February 2025. That visit marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations and the 10th anniversary of the Hanoi-Wellington MoU on strengthening friendship and cooperation.