Vietnam–New Zealand: 50 years of growing partnership
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)♕ - New Zealand takes great pride in the growth of its partnership with Vietnam, a relationship that has become increasingly meaningful to both countries and their peoples, and the wider Indo-Pacific region, said New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand (June 19, 1975 – 2025), Ambassador Beresford described the journey as remarkable. For 50 years, the two countries have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Reflecting on key milestones, the ambassador noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975, the relationship has steadily strengthened. In 1993, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet became the first Vietnamese government leader to visit New Zealand. Two years later, New Zealand opened its embassy in Hanoi, followed by Vietnam’s establishment of an embassy in Wellington in 2003.
In 2009, the two countries elevated ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, and in 2020, they upgraded the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Most recently, in February 2025, Vietnam and New Zealand entered into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, one of the highest levels of international cooperation, reflecting a dynamic, effective, and forward-looking relationship.
According to the ambassador, the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership affirms the enduring strength of bilateral ties. Built on shared interests, similar approaches to international issues, and a mutual respect for international law, Vietnam and New Zealand are forging a deep, long-term partnership. Their complementary strengths provide a strong foundation for broadening cooperation, enhancing cultural understanding, building trust, and promoting prosperity and regional stability.
Economic and trade cooperation remain top priorities. Bilateral trade is thriving, with Vietnam currently New Zealand’s 14th largest trading partner. The two sides are working toward the goal of reaching 3 billion USD in annual trade by 2026.
People-to-people exchange and education collaboration are considered vital drivers of the partnership. An increasing number of Vietnamese students are choosing to study in New Zealand, becoming "true ambassadors" of both countries. At the same time, many Vietnamese travel to New Zealand to experience its renowned hospitality manaakitanga, while New Zealanders continue to visit Vietnam to discover its rich culture and landscapes.
Through its development cooperation programmes, New Zealand has been sharing expertise in agriculture, disaster management, climate change, education, and support for vulnerable communities in Vietnam.
Political relations have also deepened, with increased cooperation in defence and security, and regular high-level exchanges. The visit to New Zealand by Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh in 2024 and PM Christopher Luxon's Vietnam visit in February 2025 marked the official launch of the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hold talks and witness the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in Hanoi, February 26, 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Beyond bilateral ties, Vietnam and New Zealand actively collaborate in multilateral forums. Both are also members of key regional trade agreements including the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which bring significant benefits to both sides.
Together, the two countries support peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. They are united in their efforts to uphold the international rules-based order and to promote cooperation in regional and global forums.
Ambassador Beresford emphasised that the Vietnam–New Zealand relationship is a valuable asset shared by the peoples of both countries. People-to-people connections are the true engine of the partnership, she noted. These connections are strengthened through educational scholarships, tourism exchanges, and cultural experiences that deepen mutual understanding.
Over the past five decades, the two countries have achieved remarkable progress together. The New Zealand Government is committed to building a closer, stronger, and more comprehensive relationship with Vietnam. Looking ahead, the ambassador expressed confidence that the relationship holds vast potential and that both sides will continue to explore new avenues for cooperation to advance shared prosperity and security./.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on June 19, 1975. Over the past five decades — and five years since launching their Strategic Partnership (2020–2025) — the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025. This milestone has further deepened cooperation, benefiting both peoples and contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
The education sector has been one of the foundations playing a vital role in deepening Vietnam – New Zealand ties, said Prof. Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
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The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
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Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
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The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
