British Ambassador: Heartfelt warmth and special Tet atmosphere in Vietnam

British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

How do you evaluate the Vietnam-UK relationship since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in the context of the UK officially joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)?

The Vietnam-UK relationship has reached new heights following the official upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The visit of General Secretary To Lam to the UK in October 2025 reaffirmed the close ties and opened a new chapter in bilateral relations with a roadmap based on six key cooperation pillars. Building on decades of strong ties, cooperation between the two nations is witnessing a robust and profound expansion across critical areas, from energy and education to diplomacy, trade, and finance. Alongside these advancements, the depth of mutual trust and understanding is also being solidified.

Notably, the UK's official accession to the CPTPP marks a significant milestone, not only for the UK and the CPTPP bloc but also in supporting the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) in promoting trade flows and ensuring a favorable investment environment for businesses in both countries.

These collaborative efforts have yielded impressive practical results, with bilateral trade reaching a record 10.4 billion pounds, more than tripling in just a decade. This impressive growth reflects the benefits of free trade agreements and demonstrates the complementary and increasingly close cooperation between the two economies.

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As a partner in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), how do you view the prospects of energy transition in Vietnam over the next five years? What specific areas can British businesses engage in to support Vietnam in realizing these goals?

Energy transition plays a foundational role in the sustainable economic development of every nation, and Vietnam is part of this flow. I am very proud that the UK is co-leading the JETP program in Vietnam.

Our core objective is to support the green transition roadmap set by the Vietnamese government, with a focus on energy transition through Power Development Plan VIII.

Given Vietnam's rapidly growing economy leading to an increasingly urgent energy demand, we believe renewable energy is the key with immense potential to meet this need. This is why the UK is committed to providing maximum support, both financially and technically, to accelerate the implementation process.

A prime example within the JETP framework last year was the significant agreement worth 480 million euros reached by both parties to fund a pumped-storage hydropower project with a capacity of up to 1.2 GW. It can be affirmed that the energy transition process not only requires new investment sources but also demands innovative and more efficient energy supply methods for both the business community and the public.

Education has long been considered a pillar and a solid foundation in the bilateral partnership. What specific directions or plans does the UK have to further expand and strengthen the presence of British educational institutions in the Vietnamese market in the near future?

I am extremely impressed by the special priority Vietnam places on education, a spirit that is strongly spread not only through government policies but also through investments from each family.

Currently, the UK is very proud to welcome about 12,000 Vietnamese students whose academic abilities are highly regarded.

Additionally, we are witnessing the strong development of strategic partnerships between universities in the two countries. A notable example is the data science training cooperation program between the University of Stirling and the British University Vietnam (BUV).

Leveraging our outstanding strengths in language training, the UK is committed to continuing to accompany Vietnam by enhancing the capacity of the teaching staff and helping students access the most advanced educational technology tools. In this, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) will be the key to helping learners quickly and effectively develop English skills in the digital era.

The 14th National Party Congress recently introduced many important resolutions and set major foreign policy directions for the country's new development phase. How do you perceive the significant new aspects of the 14th Congress's foreign policy and its significance in the current context, and what are your expectations for the future cooperation between the two countries?

I believe that elevating the status of diplomacy, along with defense and security, at the 14th Congress is an inevitable and strategic step forward.

In reality, Vietnam is asserting its proactive and active role on the international stage through deep participation in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Particularly in the regional context, we highly appreciate Vietnam's core role as the coordinating country for UK-ASEAN relations.

Another clear testament to Vietnam's diplomatic credibility is Ambassador Do Hung Viet taking on the role of President of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). I believe there is no more suitable candidate than him to lead this important international responsibility.

Especially within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established by the two countries, I have high expectations for the future of bilateral cooperation. Therefore, the UK is committed to closely accompanying both nations for mutual prosperity. The launch of the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City on February 11 is a prime example, as we are striving to support both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in realizing these nationally significant strategic projects.

Ambassador, the Lunar New Year Tet atmosphere has permeated every corner of life. Do you think there are any similarities between Vietnam's traditional Tet and festivals in the UK?

The more I am attached to Vietnam, the more I clearly feel the profound similarities between the two cultures. The greatest connection lies in the sacred value of family – a time when all members put aside work to gather, reunite, and connect with each other.

This is my fourth Tet in Hanoi. Interestingly, although the weather is usually colder during these days, I always feel warmed by the heartfelt spirit and the special festive atmosphere here. The Year of the Fire Horse 2026 symbolizes not only passion and dynamism but also embodies courage.

It represents passion, dynamism and courage. In a world that is increasingly unstable and unpredictable, those qualities matter more than ever - we need courage and a positive spirit to move forward with confidence.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse 2026, I would like to wish the Vietnamese people a very warm, a very happy and a very healthy New Year.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

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