Vietnam Party chief To Lam to visit UK after 12 years to boost bilateral ties

THE HANOI TIMES — The visit to the United Kingdom at the end of this month by General Secretary To Lam will be the first trip made by a Vietnamese Party chief in 12 years, creating new momentum for the bilateral relations established since 1973.

The three-day visit, which coincides with the 15th anniversary of the  Vietnam–UK Strategic Partnership, will begin on October 28 at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, the UK is a global power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, whose leading achievements in science, technology, defense, finance and innovation are key areas that align with Vietnam’s current development priorities as the country accelerates industrialization, modernization and international integration.

The visit demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of international relations.

“We expect this visit to open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, create breakthroughs in areas of mutual strength and potential, and launch major joint projects to strengthen the Vietnam–UK comprehensive partnership,” she said.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam and the UK have achieved remarkable progress. The UK was among the first Western nations to recognize Vietnam and is now Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in Europe, while Vietnam is the UK’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia.

Bilateral trade reached US$8.4 billion in 2024, up 18% year-on-year, thanks to the effective implementation of the UK–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

The UK currently has 587 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$4.46 billion, focusing on finance, information technology, manufacturing, renewable energy and education.

In terms of science and technology, the two sides have carried out 50 joint research projects.

In climate cooperation, the UK serves as the coordinator for Vietnam’s implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The UK is also one of Vietnam’s leading development partners through programs such as the Prosperity Fund, the Newton Fund and the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative.

Education remains a key pillar of bilateral ties. Around 12,000 Vietnamese students are studying at UK universities, colleges and schools, while thousands of Vietnamese experts and professionals work in research, technology, finance and innovation sectors across the UK, contributing to stronger people-to-people connections.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Do Minh Hung said the visit carries special importance in consolidating political trust, enhancing cooperation efficiency and expanding ties in new areas such as finance, high technology, strategic infrastructure, green energy and sustainable development.

“I am confident that this visit will be a success, elevating the Vietnam–UK partnership to a new height and contributing to Vietnam’s development goals and international standing,” he stated.

During the visit, Party chief To Lam is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, meet leaders of the UK Parliament, deliver a policy speech at the University of Oxford, attend a high-level economic forum with major British businesses and meet with the Vietnamese community in the UK.

Both sides are set to sign several cooperation documents in politics, economy, science and technology, green transition and education.

The visit is set to turn shared ambitions in trade, technology and innovation into progress for both countries.