United Kingdom

This cooperation aims to expedite access to advanced medicines and vaccines developed by GSK, particularly by bringing to Vietnam new specialty medicines produced at GSK’s modern, globally strategic manufacturing facilities in Worthing and Barnard Castle (UK).

The two sides concurred to intensify cooperation across multiple education levels, encompassing universities, vocational training institutions, and high schools. Besides, they will expand joint training programmes, enhance student and lacturer exchanges, and promote mutual recognition of academic credits.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on clean energy cooperation with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and another MoU on product safety with the UK Department for Business and Trade.

The official visit to the UK by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam holds profound significance not only for advancing Vietnam’s ties with a major European and global partner but also for creating new momentum for the country’s next stage of development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse, together with the Vietnamese high-level delegation, departed from London Stansted Airport on October 30 (local time), concluding their three-day official visit to the UK at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

General Secretary Lam expressed his satisfaction with the flourishing development of the Vietnam–UK strategic partnership across areas in recent years, noting that economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a bright spot of the bilateral relations.

The Party chief’s official visit is expected to mark a new milestone in Vietnam–UK cooperation, particularly in sectors where both sides possess complementary strengths.

The two leaders expressed their delight that Vietnam and the UK share many common views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, and have maintained close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums.

The Party leader highly appreciated Blair's efforts in promoting Vietnam–UK relations. He also welcomed the Tony Blair Institute’s initiatives and cooperative activities in providing policy advice, supporting digital transformation, fostering green economic development, and strengthening governance capacity in many countries, including Vietnam.

Party General Secretary To Lam's spouse Ngo Phuong Ly praised Evelina London’s humane approach to pediatric care, noting with appreciation that its doctors have long participated in medical cooperation programmes in Vietnam, providing consultations and surgeries for Vietnamese children.

Vietnam and the UK should quickly draft an Action Plan, reinforce existing cooperation mechanisms, and establish new ones if needed, said Party chief To Lam.

At the Catapult Network, the delegation learnt about the sustainable public – private partnership, exemplified by the “one-third funding” structure, in which financing is shared equally among the government, commercial contracts, and collaborative R&D projects.

Vietnam highly values the European country’s efforts to implement the Aid for Trade programme and offer preferential market access for goods from over 90 developing countries through its Developing Countries Trading Scheme, said Ambassador Mai Phan Dung.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired an official welcome ceremony for and held talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam in London on October 29 (local time), as the Vietnamese Party leader is paying an official visit to the UK.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam on October 29 met with executives from several leading British corporations and international financial institutions as part of his official visit to the United Kingdom.

Party General Secretary To Lam expressed confidence that the two nations, both steeped in rich cultures, could expand people-to-people exchanges and deepen cooperation in culture, arts, and sports. Such activities, he said, would enrich and deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership.

The Vietnamese community in the UK now numbers over 100,000, actively integrating into local society while maintaining a strong patriotic spirit, preserving cultural traditions, and fostering mutual support.

Party General Secretary To Lam has expressed his hope that British youth, research institutes, universities, innovative enterprises, civil society organisations, and future policymakers will regard Vietnam as a sincere and trustworthy partner that shares both responsibilities and benefits in a world order that is being reshaped.

With its aspiration to become a pioneer in digital economy, Vietnam seeks to learn from the UK - the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and the homeland of great minds such as Isaac Newton, John Locke, Adam Smith, Alan Turing, William Shakespeare, and Charles Dickens - to build an innovative, human-centred, and sustainable technological ecosystem.

By September 2025, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK had reached 6.9 billion USD, a 10.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024.