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 podium, under the flags of the two countries, the national anthems of New Zealand and Vietnam were played.

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

After the welcoming ceremony, the two Prime Ministers moved to the Government Headquarters for talks. Speaking before the visit, Prime Minister Luxon said that Vietnam is a rising star of 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 a photo exhibition about the country, people and good relations between Vietnam and New Zealand.

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

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Luxon took 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 on strengthening the strategic partnership and discuss bilateral cooperation modalities.

The visit contributes 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, Vietnam - New Zealand relations have increasingly developed and become more substantive, creating momentum to expand areas of cooperation in the future.

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

Mr Luxon pledged to push ahead with the ambitious target of US$3 billion in two-way trade by 2026. At the same time, with more than two decades of annual economic growth of over 5% and a population of over 100 million, Vietnam is a market that offers great opportunities for New Zealand, especially in the fields of international education and providing high-quality food and beverages.

As planned, Prime Minister Luxon will also deliver an important 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