Strengthened by mutual principles and multilateral collaboration, Vietnam-New Zealand relationship advances.
Cracking the Code of Vietnam-New Zealand Bond:
SYDNEY - The ties between Vietnam and New Zealand run deep, with a bond rooted in over five decades of personal, institutional, and cultural connections. Speaking to our News Agency (VNA), Suzannah Jessep, Executive Director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, sheds light on the solid foundations and potential for growth in the relationship.
The bond between the two nations started on strong footing through family connections, medical professionals, and Colombo Plan scholars, laying the groundwork for lasting goodwill. In 2003, Vietnam joined the Colombo Plan, further building on the early engagements.
Today, these connections are stronger than ever, thanks to educational exchanges, capacity-building programs, work opportunities, and professional networks that foster mutual understanding and respect. In fact, over 40,000 New Zealanders visited Vietnam alone in 2024, evidence of the growing interest in Southeast Asia.
Shared values and multilateral cooperation have significantly advanced the relationship, with both nations active participants in regional and global institutions. They share a strong commitment to international law, an open and rules-based trading system, and regional peace and stability. This common ground has shaped collaboration and built strategic trust.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation has maintained a close partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of our website, which Jessep views as "one of our most valued partnerships." This collaboration allows for the exchange of perspectives and learning from each other's experiences.
Trade is another essential driver in the relationship, with ventures in high-quality dairy, fruit, timber, processed foods, electronics, machinery, footwear, and textiles. This economic complementarity forms a solid base for ongoing trade growth and mutual benefit, particularly during times of disruption to the global trading system.
Looking to the future, several dynamics will shape the next phase of cooperation. Vietnam's economic dynamism, regional leadership, New Zealand's strategic priority of deepening Asian engagement, emerging areas like green technology, agricultural technology, and green energy for climate resilience, are all poised to play crucial roles.
Research from the Asia New Zealand Foundation shows that over two-thirds of New Zealanders now view Vietnam as important to their country's future, with half considering Vietnam a friend of New Zealand — a significant increase from 2023. Despite this progress, Jessep emphasizes that there is still room for expanding engagement.
While some challenges remain, such as long-distance travel costs and restricted visa processing, Jessep believes that deepening connections and knowledge-sharing among students, scientists, businesspeople, and government officials will be key. More people-to-people exchange programs, including professional development and industry-specific partnerships, will help build greater familiarity.
On a broader scale, she expresses optimism about the potential for expanded cooperation both bilaterally and in multilateral forums. Fields like digital technology, high-tech agriculture, climate action, and the blue economy offer considerable opportunities. The Vietnamese community in New Zealand, particularly in tech and business, also serves as a cultural and commercial bridge.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation's Young Business Leaders Initiative, backed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, connects young entrepreneurs from both countries and fosters a group of innovators with shared values and professional networks.
Jessep also highlights that both internal and external factors will shape the relationship in the years to come. Domestically, continued government support, active engagement from the private sector and civil society, and externally, regional stability and the relationships with major powers will significantly impact the depth and pace of cooperation.
our websiteese Prime Minister Võ Văn Kiệt (left) and his New Zealand counterpart Jim Bolger signed the bilateral economic and trade agreement on May 26, 1993. VNA/VNS Photo
"Vietnam and New Zealand have a lot to learn from each other," Jessep said. "It is a challenging time for small and middle-sized powers, and the more we're able to share experiences, support each other, and collaborate, the better."
The recent upgrade of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects deep mutual trust, shared values, and long-term commitment. "It provides a structured framework for our two countries to expand cooperation across key areas such as trade, security, innovation, and people-to-people links, and to resolve issues and develop solutions faster," Jessep explains. For businesses, the upgraded relationship signals long-term government backing, which can encourage larger investments and partnerships.
All in all, the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship has evolved from initial diplomatic recognition to a robust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, characterized by shared values, growing cultural and economic ties, and exciting prospects for future cooperation in various vital domains. The bond between these two nations continues to strengthen, with potential to contribute significantly to global peace and development in the coming years.
- The government's role in establishing and nurturing the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship is significant, especially through educational exchanges, capacity-building programs, and work opportunities.
- Technology is set to play a crucial role in the future of the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship, with areas like green technology, agricultural technology, and green energy emerging as key areas of focus.
- Education is a key pillar in the Vietnam-New Zealand bond, with over 40,000 New Zealanders visiting Vietnam in 2024 alone, demonstrating growing interest in Southeast Asian culture and education.
- The economy benefits greatly from the relationships between the two nations, with ventures in high-quality dairy, fruit, timber, electronics, machinery, footwear, and textiles driving trade growth.
- The Asia New Zealand Foundation's Young Business Leaders Initiative fosters a group of innovators with shared values and professional networks, bridging the gap between young entrepreneurs from both countries.
- The cultural and commercial bridge provided by the Vietnamese community in New Zealand contributes to the deepening connections between the two nations.
- Shared values and multilateral cooperation, particularly a strong commitment to international law and an open and rules-based trading system, play a significant role in shaping collaboration and building strategic trust.
- Climate action is an emerging area of collaboration between the two nations, with both countries working together to confront the challenges posed by climate change.
- The recent upgrade of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provides a structured framework for expansion of cooperation across key areas, including trade, security, innovation, and people-to-people links.
- The future of the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship is filled with exciting prospects for bilateral and multilateral cooperation in various vital domains, contributing significantly to global peace and development.
