Jacinda Ardern begins a four-day official visit to Vietnam on November 14 at the invitation of the Vietnamese PM.
The visit is expected to enhance the Vietnam – New Zealand cooperation in various fields, especially in economics, trade and investment. In the photo, the welcoming ceremony for the NZ leader takes place at the presidential place in Hanoi.
Both Chinh and Ardern review the guard of honour
Shortly after the ceremony, the two PM took a walk to the Government Office for high-level talks.
This is Ardern’s first visit to Vietnam. The two PMs pose for a photo ahead of their talks.
During the talks, the two PMs exchange views on measures to strengthen the Vietnam-New Zealand strategic partnership.
Vietnam and New Zealand officially established diplomatic relations on June 19, 1975, and they lifted their relationship to a level of comprehensive partnership in 2009 and then strategic partnership in 2020. They also sign an action programme to implement the strategic partnership for 2021-2024.
New Zealand always attaches importance to relations with Vietnam, considering the Southeast Asian nation an important factor in its foreign policy for the Asia-Pacific region.
Vietnam is New Zealand’s 16th largest trading partner, with two-way trade turnover increasing 13.6% in the first nine months of 2022 to US$1.1 billion.
Ardern says besides diplomacy, New Zealand wants to boost economic cooperation with Vietnam – an increasingly key and fast growing market.
Ardern’s visit is expected to give fresh impetus to elevating bilateral partnership to new heights.