Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives UK Ambassador Iain Frew to boost bilateral trade
On the afternoon of May 20, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Vietnam Iain Frew.
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| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Vietnam, Iain Frew. (Photo: Nhat Bac) |
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed his gratitude to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for sending a congratulatory letter on the occasion of his election by the National Assembly to the new position.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung highly appreciated the positive contributions of Ambassador Iain Frew and the British Embassy in promoting bilateral relations in recent times, especially the upgrade of Vietnam-UK relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the official visit to the UK by General Secretary To Lam in October 2025.
Affirming that Vietnam always values its relationship with the UK, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasized that the two countries have much potential for cooperation in trade-investment, finance, science-technology, education-training, green transition, renewable energy, and defense-security. He suggested that both sides enhance delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially at high levels; and promptly coordinate to develop an Action Plan to implement the Vietnam-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
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| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposes that both sides work to boost bilateral trade turnover to $10 billion in 2026 and aim for $15 billion in the future. (Photo: Nhat Bac) |
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that both sides work to boost bilateral trade turnover to 10 billion USD in 2026 and aim for 15 billion USD in the future by expanding markets for each other's goods. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government always facilitates foreign enterprises, including British businesses, to conduct long-term and effective business and investment in Vietnam.
Emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation in building and developing an International Financial Center in Vietnam, the Prime Minister requested that the UK continue to support Vietnam in perfecting institutions, building a legal framework, and developing financial products and tools to mobilize resources for strategic infrastructure projects, implementing impactful and symbolic projects that match the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung expressed gratitude and requested that the UK Government continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the UK to integrate well and contribute positively to the UK's socio-economic development and bilateral relations.
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| Ambassador Iain Frew affirms that the UK is ready to cooperate with Vietnam to promote bilateral and international trade. (Photo: Nhat Bac) |
Expressing his honor to be received by the Prime Minister, Ambassador Iain Frew congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements in recent times. He affirmed his desire to continue contributing to the increasingly profound, substantive, and effective development of bilateral relations across all fields.
The Ambassador highly appreciated Vietnam's role as the Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026. He affirmed that the UK is ready to cooperate with Vietnam to promote bilateral and international trade.
Ambassador Iain Frew also noted that British investors highly appreciate Vietnam's development prospects, especially in the fields of energy, finance, and green transition. He emphasized that the UK wishes to be a long-term partner of Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
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| Both sides agreed to continue strengthening coordination in multilateral mechanisms, promoting ASEAN-UK relations, and emphasizing dialogue and cooperation. (Photo: Nhat Bac) |
Agreeing with the directives of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Ambassador Iain Frew affirmed continued close cooperation to maintain effective bilateral cooperation mechanisms on security and defense. He emphasized promoting cooperation in science-technology and innovation, connecting networks of experts, investors, and investment funds, supporting the training of high-tech human resources, and aiming to promote educational cooperation. He also supported making English a second language in Vietnamese schools and accompanying Vietnam in developing green finance and building an international financial center.
Regarding regional and international issues, both sides agreed to continue strengthening coordination in multilateral mechanisms, promoting ASEAN-UK relations, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation, ensuring freedom, security, and maritime safety, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
