Prime Minister welcomes UK Secretary of State for Defence
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 22 suggested Vietnam and the UK continue to consolidate and strengthen cooperation between the two defence ministries and armies, both bilaterally and at multilateral forums.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhon July 22 suggested Vietnam and the UK continue to consolidate and strengthencooperation between the two defence ministries and armies, both bilaterally andat multilateral forums.
The two sides should work to effectively realise cooperationagreements in national defence, contributing to the Vietnam-UK strategicpartnership in conformity with each side's interests, and contributing to peace and stabilityin the region and the world, PM Chinh told UK Secretary of State for DefenceRobert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi on July 22.
Speaking highly the first visit to Vietnam by Wallace,PM Chinh said the trip vividly demonstrates both sides’ goodwill to promote thefriendship and mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two defenceministries, armies and people of the two countries, helping to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.
He lauded strong development steps of the Vietnam-UKrelations in such spheres as politics, economy, national defence and security,and sustainable development.
The PM called on the UK to effectively implement theUK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), encourage its firms to invest inVietnam and facilitate Vietnamese goods’ access to the UK market.
PM Chinh suggested the UK Government continue itsCOVID-19 vaccine supply to Vietnam, create conditions for the Southeast Asian countryto soon acquire vaccines under the COVAX Facility and access vaccine suppliesas soon and as many as possible, and early transfer the vaccineproduction technology to Vietnam.
Regarding the 26th United Nations Climate ChangeConference (COP26) to be hosted by the UK in November, the government leader expressed hisbelief that the event will contribute to promoting global efforts in responding to climate change. Vietnam stands ready to work closely with the UK andother partners to make the conference a success, he pledged.
At the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace (Photo: VNA)
Wallace, for his part, said he is impressed byachievements Vietnam has recorded in socio-economic development and COVID-19prevention and control, as well as its development potential. The UK always attaches importance to its strategic partnership with Vietnam, he affirmed.
Praising Vietnam’s contributions in the region and theworld, he said the UK Department of Defence is willing to closely cooperate with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to enhance exchanges and consolidate mutual trust, and step upmutually beneficial cooperation, covering training, experience sharing andcollaboration within multilateral frameworks like UN peacekeeping operations.
While comparing notes on regional and internationalissues, the two sides stressed the importance of ensuring order, security,safety and freedom of navigation, and addressing disputes via peaceful measuresin line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability,cooperation and development in the region and the world at large./.
Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh hailed the growing strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK in various areas during a reception in Hanoi on June 23 for Minister of State for Trade Policy in the Department for International Trade of the UK Greg Hands.
The bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United Kingdom (UK) is at the finest development stage and still holds much potential for further growth, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long said during his online meeting with members and partners of the Vietnam-UK Network (VUKN) on July 5.
Vietnam stands ready to share information and boost comprehensive, effective and intensive cooperation with the UK in security and home affairs, Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long told UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in London on July 19.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace (Photo: VNA) 
At the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace (Photo: VNA) 
