Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang welcomes the Duke of Richmond and Duchess
WVR - On February 24, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon (UK), and the Duchess, who are visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang welcomes the Duke of Richmond and Gordon and the Duchess during their visit to Vietnam. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed her pleasure in welcoming the Duke and Duchess to Vietnam; conveyed greetings from Politburo member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, and emphasized the significance of the Duke's visit in promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
The Deputy Minister thanked the Duke and Duchess for their cooperation, contributing to the success of General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the United Kingdom in October 2025. She appreciated the Duke's role in preserving and promoting the heritage value at Goodwood Estate – a symbol of British culture and history, and acknowledged his active participation in charitable and community activities.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirms Vietnam's commitment to developing bilateral relations and recognizing the UK's global role. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed Vietnam's commitment to developing bilateral relations and recognizing the UK's global role. She praised the cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade and investment, finance, education and training, innovation, energy, and climate change adaptation. She highlighted the strong development of bilateral relations, marked by the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership framework during General Secretary To Lam's visit to the UK (October 2025). Bilateral trade has reached a record high, potentially achieving the target of $10 billion this year. The UK is Vietnam's third-largest export market in Europe, while Vietnam is the UK's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN.
The Duke of Richmond and the Duchess expressed gratitude for the warm and thoughtful reception by Vietnam. They were impressed by Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and its determination to achieve double-digit growth in the coming years. They noted the positive progress in bilateral cooperation in various fields such as trade and investment, education and training, science and technology, culture and sports, and tourism. They were pleased to have met General Secretary To Lam and the Duchess during his visit to the UK.
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| Both sides agreed on the vast potential for connecting the business communities of both countries; enhancing cultural, educational, sports exchanges, and charitable activities. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The Duke mentioned his itinerary in Vietnam, which includes visits to several localities such as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. He plans to visit and work with major companies like Vinfast and FPT Group. He also expressed a desire to promote cultural and sports exchanges with Vietnam, including painting, art performances, football, and car and motorcycle racing. The Duke shared his experience in organizing Formula racing events, considering it a significant opportunity for international business connections.
Both sides agreed on the vast potential for connecting the business communities of both countries; enhancing cultural, educational, sports exchanges, and charitable activities, viewing these as crucial foundations for increasing mutual understanding and trust between the two nations.
| The Duke of Richmond and Gordon (UK) Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox is the Director of the King's Charity Fund and the Founder of the Goodwood Arts Foundation – a non-profit organization focused on arts, environment, and education. He is also the founder of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival, renowned racing events in the UK and worldwide. Duke Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox is very fond of Vietnam and supports the promotion of Vietnam-UK relations. |
