According to VGP, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung expressed his pleasure at meeting Ambassador Beresford, and highly appreciated her active contributions since taking up her post in Vietnam, particularly in coordinating the successful organization of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the upgrading of the Vietnam - New Zealand relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its relationship with New Zealand, and expressed pleasure at witnessing the increasingly strong, substantive and effective development of bilateral ties. He highly valued the positive cooperation results achieved by the two countries, noting that the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2025 - 2030 period is being actively carried out by both sides across all five pillar areas of cooperation.

To further strengthen political trust between the two countries, the Prime Minister proposed that both sides make thorough preparations for high-level exchange activities, expressing his hope to welcome the Prime Minister of New Zealand on a visit to Vietnam to attend the APEC 2027 Summit.

Emphasizing that the two countries still have significant potential for cooperation in trade and investment, the Prime Minister proposed that both sides adopt breakthrough measures to soon bring bilateral trade turnover to USD 3 billion, remove technical barriers, facilitate access for each country's strong export products to the other's market, and effectively make use of the free trade agreements to which both are parties.

The Prime Minister also proposed stepping up cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and renewable energy development (wind power and solar power), noting that Vietnam considers science, technology and innovation the main driving force of its new development model for promoting sustainable economic growth.

The Prime Minister further proposed that the two sides step up cooperation in education and training to help develop high-quality human resources, promote substantive cooperation in defense and security, and work determinedly to open direct flights with convenient connections in order to boost tourism, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties.

Expressing her honor at being received by the Prime Minister, Ambassador Beresford congratulated Vietnam on its outstanding socio-economic achievements in recent times. She stressed that New Zealand always regards Vietnam as an important partner in the Southeast Asian region and stands ready to accompany, support and assist Vietnam in achieving its development goals.

Ambassador Beresford affirmed that she would continue her efforts to promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries in an increasingly substantive and effective manner, especially in the fields of trade and investment, education and training, high-tech agriculture, and science and technology, among others.

Concurring with the guidance given by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, the ambassador affirmed that she would continue to coordinate closely with Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities to promote bilateral cooperation across all fields.

In this regard, she underscored the importance of thorough preparations for upcoming high-level delegation exchanges, which would create new momentum for trade and investment cooperation, while pledging to accompany Vietnam in developing its green and digital economy.

On regional and international issues of mutual concern, Ambassador Beresford agreed with the Prime Minister that the two sides should continue to strengthen close coordination at multilateral forums, emphasized the central role of ASEAN, and pledged that New Zealand would continue to support Vietnam in successfully hosting APEC Year 2027.