UK Minister Visits Vietnam To Address Global Issues

The UK’s Minister of State for Asia, Amanda Milling, made her first visit to Vietnam this week (27-30 March) to promote collaboration on bilateral and global issues as well as discuss the serious consequences of Russian invasion of Ukraine.

During her visit, the Minister had a courtesy meeting with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister, Bui Thanh Son and co-chaired the ‘UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue’ with Vietnamese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pham Quang Hieu.

The dialogue covered trade and investment; cooperation on climate, education, science and technology.

They also exchanged views on regional security and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Minister also met the Head of the Central Commission for External Relations of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Le Hoai Trung, and Deputy Minister for Public Security, Luong Tam Quang to discuss tackling global security issues, human trafficking and transnational crime.

During her visit, Minister for Asia, Amanda Milling, said:

I am delighted to be here in Hanoi to hold the UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue, and strengthen our cooperation.

There are big opportunities for the UK and Vietnam to boost our economic ties, build back better from COVID-19, and tackle global challenges such as climate change and serious organised crime.

We also need to work together on threats to international peace and security, such as the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

While in Hanoi, the Minister delivered opening remarks at the launch of the Vietnam’s National Trade Repository.

Supported by the UK Government, this free-to-access online information platform provides the latest trade regulations and information for businesses, who export and import to and from Vietnam.

Ahead of the UK hosting the first ‘Safe To Be Me:

A Global Equality Conference’ in June, the Minister attended a LGBT+ Roundtable, co-organised by the British Embassy Hanoi and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and attended a reception with LGBT+ activists.