Vietnam and the United Kingdom have officially elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a historic milestone that places the UK among Vietnam’s highest-level diplomatic partners. With this upgrade, Vietnam now maintains comprehensive strategic partnerships with all five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The announcement was made during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to London on October 29, where UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted an official welcoming ceremony followed by high-level talks. Both leaders hailed the upgrade as a significant step forward in deepening political trust, economic cooperation, and strategic coordination.
Prime Minister Starmer praised Vietnam as a dynamic, open economy and a key partner for the UK in Southeast Asia, while General Secretary To Lam acknowledged the UK’s global economic stature and advanced development. The two sides highlighted strong alignment on regional and international issues, as well as effective collaboration in multilateral forums.
Discussions focused on expanding cooperation across politics, defense and security, trade and investment, digital transformation, science and technology, climate action, finance, education, and people-to-people exchange. Both leaders emphasized large opportunities to strengthen ties in green energy transition, digital industry development, and high-quality human resource training.
The UK expressed strong support for Vietnam’s net-zero 2050 commitment and reaffirmed its backing for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). Both countries agreed to work toward doubling bilateral trade, capitalizing on frameworks such as the UKVFTA and CPTPP.
Defense and security cooperation will also broaden, including efforts to address illegal migration, enhance maritime security, and uphold freedom of navigation in the Asia-Pacific in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982.
At the conclusion of the talks, both sides signed a joint statement announcing the new partnership level, alongside multiple agreements on green finance, education, healthcare, renewable energy, economic collaboration, and migration cooperation.
General Secretary To Lam invited Prime Minister Starmer to visit Vietnam, an invitation the UK leader accepted, signalling strong momentum for the next phase of bilateral cooperation.
(Source: The Investor)
