Overview of the welcoming ceremony for the New Zealand Prime Minister's official visit to Vietnam

At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh , New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid an official visit to Vietnam and attended the second ASEAN Future Forum from February 25 to 28.

As the two leaders stepped onto the platform, the national anthems of New Zealand and Vietnam were played beneath the flags of their respective countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh invited New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to review the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Army.

Following the welcoming ceremony, the two Prime Ministers proceeded to the Government Headquarters for talks. Speaking before the visit, Prime Minister Luxon stated that Vietnam is a rising star in Southeast Asia and one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited an exhibition of photographs showcasing the country, people, and the excellent relationship between Vietnam and New Zealand.

This visit is of particular importance to New Zealand, especially as the two countries are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Luxon pose for a photo together before entering the high-level talks between the two governments.

In Vietnam, Prime Minister Luxon is expected to discuss with Vietnamese leaders about strengthening the strategic partnership and exploring avenues for bilateral cooperation.

The visit contributed to strengthening political trust, deepening the strategic partnership, and making the Vietnam-New Zealand bilateral relationship more substantive and effective.

After 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, especially after upgrading to a Strategic Partnership in 2020, the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship has increasingly developed and become more substantive, creating momentum for expanding areas of cooperation in the future.

According to Prime Minister Luxon, New Zealand's trade with Vietnam has increased by 40% over the past five years, but there is still much potential for further growth between the two countries.

Mr. Luxon pledged to push forward the ambitious goal of achieving $3 billion in bilateral trade by 2026. At the same time, with over two decades of annual economic growth exceeding 5% and a population of over 100 million, Vietnam presents significant opportunities for New Zealand, particularly in the areas of international education and the supply of high-quality food and beverages.

According to the plan, Prime Minister Luxon will also deliver a key speech at the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/toan-canh-le-don-thu-tuong-new-zealand-tham-chinh-thuc-viet-nam-20250226113658692.htm