Lâm's Visit to Unlock New Opportunities in Việt Nam-New Zealand Relations
The visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm to New Zealand is a significant milestone in the history of the two countries' diplomatic ties. Dr. Trần Văn, former Deputy Head of the National Assembly's Finance-Budget Committee and former Chairman of Vietnam-New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Association, views this visit as a landmark event that underscores Việt Nam's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and 2025-2030 Action Plan aim to drive economic and trade breakthroughs between the two countries. Two-way trade is expected to reach US$3 billion, with new opportunities emerging in frontier sectors such as innovation, high-tech farming, climate action, and green transition.
Education and people-to-people diplomacy are key pillars of Việt Nam's relationship with New Zealand. Việt Nam students have long considered New Zealand a top-tier destination for higher education, with government scholarships and training programs upskilling the workforce. The ELTSO English course at Victoria University of Wellington has been particularly popular among senior officials.
New Zealand's higher education system is renowned for its global excellence and research prowess. Việt Nam can leverage this expertise to drive sustainable growth, particularly in high-tech agriculture, climate resilience, environmental governance, renewable energy, and public policy. Collaborative research centers, joint degrees, and faculty exchanges are potential areas of cooperation.
The priority sectors for Việt Nam to attract New Zealand trade and investment include high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, green transition technology, digital economy, EdTech, HealthTech, premium food and beverage sectors, and supply chain infrastructure. These partnerships can contribute to Việt Nam's National Digital Transformation Programme and help the country achieve its goal of reaching Net-Zero emissions by 2050.