Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on British businesses to collaborate with Vietnam on six strategic breakthroughs, with the goal of boosting bilateral trade and UK investment in Vietnam beyond the $10 billion threshold in the coming years.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion with representatives of British enterprises in Hanoi on June 28, PM Chinh emphasized the importance of the forum as a platform for open dialogue on policy direction and long-term cooperation in key sectors such as finance, sustainable development, digital transformation, education, and healthcare.

He outlined six priority breakthroughs for UK-Vietnam collaboration.

First, strengthening economic ties through substantive and effective partnerships based on market principles, fostering mutual development and benefit.

Second, advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution by promoting science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the development of artificial intelligence, and blockchain.

Third, accelerating the green transition and climate change response, with a focus on achieving Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Fourth, enhancing cooperation in health, education, culture, and sports, including efforts to popularize English and establish it as a second language.

Fifth, expanding collaboration in finance and banking, notably in developing an international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and promoting Vietnam’s free trade zones.

Sixth, integrating Vietnamese businesses into global value chains and fostering the development of Vietnamese tech unicorns.

The PM emphasized that these initiatives would generate fresh momentum and inspiration for bilateral relations. He also called for continued UK support in achieving Vietnam’s long-term strategic goals, including its two 100-year development milestones.

Highlighting the importance of maximizing the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and Vietnam’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the PM urged further cooperation in sectors where the UK excels—particularly technology, services, and finance. He stressed that deeper UK-Vietnam collaboration would contribute to socio-economic development, enhance each country’s global standing, strengthen international solidarity, and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.