General Secretary To Lam's visit marks a new phase in Vietnam-UK relations.

Photo caption

Researcher Kyril Whittaker answers questions from a VNA reporter in the UK. Photo courtesy of Phong Ha/VNA reporter in the UK.

Kyril Whittaker, a researcher of Vietnamese political history and a member of the British Communist Party (CPB), expressed this opinion in a recent interview with a VNA reporter in the UK ahead of the official visit of General Secretary To Lam, his wife, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation from October 28-30 at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Mr. Whittaker stated that General Secretary To Lam's visit, the first visit to the UK by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam since 2013, takes place at a time when bilateral relations have been steadily developing since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, particularly with many positive developments after the signing of a strategic partnership in 2010, thereby expanding cooperation compared to previous decades and bringing tangible benefits to both countries.

Mr. Whittaker pointed out the achievements of cooperation in many areas, especially trade, culture, education , and science. He cited figures from the UK government showing that in the year ending Q1/2025, bilateral trade reached 9 billion pounds (over 12 billion USD), an increase of nearly 31% (2.1 billion pounds) compared to the same period last year and compared to 4.3 billion pounds in 2011. Vietnam is currently the UK's 34th largest trading partner, and with further strengthening of the Strategic Partnership, bilateral trade could soon exceed 10 billion pounds.

Cultural and educational cooperation has also seen significant progress. British scholars point out that in the UK, numerous events showcasing Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and beauty take place annually, making more and more Britons aware of the history, culture, and lifestyle of this Southeast Asian nation. In Vietnam, British culture is also introduced through English language teaching, as well as through sports and cuisine.

A British scholar noted that in 2013, when General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited the UK—marking the first visit by a Vietnamese General Secretary to this European country—the British government was very impressed with Vietnam's economic development, with a growth rate of 6% per year, recognizing it as a country with a positive business environment for British enterprises. This growth rate has continued since then, even amidst challenging international developments such as the COVID-19 pandemic and US tariffs disrupting global markets. He believes this further confirms the strong potential for further development of relations between the two countries.

Mr. Whittaker also suggested that Vietnam's new era of progress would open up many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, with continuous growth coupled with the development of many large-scale infrastructure projects in Vietnam. With the UK government increasing investment in renewable energy and building a new nuclear power plant in Suffolk, while Vietnam is also developing its nuclear energy capacity and undergoing a large-scale green transition, the two countries can share expertise and experience in these areas.

Assessing the relationship between the Communist parties of the two countries, Whittaker said that the two sides have a long-standing and solid relationship, having established relations very early on. Former General Secretary John Gollan met with President Ho Chi Minh in 1965, a leader known to Communist Party members during his time living and working in England, and also met with General Secretary Le Duan.

Mr. Whittaker also pointed out the support of British Communist Party members for Vietnam during the war against the US, regularly organizing demonstrations, publishing leaflets, articles, and posters supporting the independence of the Vietnamese people and their just struggle. The British Communist Youth also carried out a nationwide fundraising campaign to buy bicycles and provide medical aid to Vietnam through delegates attending the World Youth Festival in Bulgaria in 1968. Most recently, CPB General Secretary Robert Griffiths visited Vietnam to attend the 80th anniversary of National Day and met with members of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee. General Secretary Griffiths stated that communists and people around the world can learn from Vietnam's inspiring history and spirit of solidarity. The two parties have also held numerous meetings to discuss expanding relations and cooperation, exchanging knowledge, and sharing history between the two parties.

Mr. Whittaker emphasized that the British Communist Party highly values the theoretical development of the Vietnamese Communist Party and has published articles by Vietnamese General Secretaries in its theoretical journal (also named the Communist Journal).

He said that communists in the UK were very interested in the General Secretary's visit and would continue to study and learn from the theoretical and practical developments of Vietnamese socialism. He affirmed that the Vietnam-UK relationship, as well as the relationship between the two Communist Parties, continues to be strengthened and has many opportunities for further development.

Mr. Whittaker concluded that the General Secretary's visit would mark a new phase in the ongoing development of relations between the two countries, strengthening friendship and cooperation, and thereby helping the British people to better understand and learn from Vietnam.

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