On the afternoon of 29 October 2025 (local time), during the official visit of General Secretary To Lam to the United Kingdom, the two countries issued a Joint Statement on the Upgrade of Viet Nam–UK Relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This marks a significant milestone in bilateral ties, fifteen years after the establishment of the Strategic Partnership framework in 2010, and reflects the international recognition of Viet Nam’s increasingly active and dynamic role in Southeast Asia and the Indo–Pacific region.

Source: TTXVN.

According to the Joint Statement, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation across six key pillars: (i) politics, diplomacy, defense, and security; (ii) economy, trade, investment, and finance; (iii) science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and health; (iv) environment, energy, and green transition; (v) education, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchange; and (vi) regional and international cooperation, emphasizing coordination at multilateral forums, adherence to international law, and support for regional architectures such as ASEAN.

In the field of economy and investment, the two countries committed to fostering a fair and transparent business environment, removing market access barriers, and promoting two-way trade and investment. Both sides also reaffirmed their intention to effectively implement and review commitments under the Viet Nam–UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Regarding environment and energy, both countries reiterated their shared commitment to a clean, just, and sustainable energy transition, with the goals of reducing emissions and advancing a low-carbon economy.

The elevation of Viet Nam–UK relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is not only symbolic but also substantive — expanding opportunities for cooperation in strategic sectors, strengthening Viet Nam’s international standing, and consolidating its long-term partnerships with leading global economies. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, Viet Nam will need to continue improving its institutional environment, enhance implementation capacity, and ensure that the benefits of cooperation are broadly and equitably distributed across society.

Source: Compiled by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam