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Vietnam\u2019s Party General Secretary T\u00f4 L\u00e2m outlines plans to elevate bilateral ties with the UK through joint research, sustainable development, and strategic cooperation in science, technology, and climate action during his visit to Oxford University.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
During an official visit to the United Kingdom, Party General Secretary T\u00f4 L\u00e2m delivered a significant policy address at the University of Oxford, expressing his vision for a strengthened and sincere partnership between Vi\u1ec7t Nam and the UK. He urged British youth, research institutions, universities, innovative enterprises, civil society organisations, and future policymakers to view Vi\u1ec7t Nam as a trustworthy partner committed to shared responsibilities and benefits in an evolving global landscape. L\u00e2m underscored Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s dedication to peace, independence, self-reliance, and cooperation for mutual development, emphasizing a diplomatic approach grounded in respect for international law, dialogue, and mutual benefit rather than confrontation or coercion.<\/p>\n
The Vietnamese leader presented a broad development agenda for Vi\u1ec7t Nam centred on science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the knowledge economy as crucial drivers for future growth. He highlighted Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s commitment to promoting a green, circular, and low-carbon economy alongside its socialist-oriented market economy, which aims to balance market principles with social justice under the Communist Party\u2019s leadership. The government’s strategy places strong emphasis on the private sector as the main engine for economic acceleration, the state-owned sector as essential for macroeconomic stability and security, and good governance as vital to fostering public trust and equitable resource allocation. L\u00e2m stressed that Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s development model aims at tangible improvements in citizens\u2019 quality of life, encompassing income, housing, healthcare, education, social welfare, and environmental sustainability, aligning with its strategic goals for 2030 and 2045 to become a modern, high-income, and equitable society.<\/p>\n
Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s ambitions dovetail with a desire to deepen and upgrade bilateral ties with the UK. The two countries plan to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, placing it on par with the UK\u2019s ties to major powers such as China, the United States, Russia, and France. This elevation marks a milestone in Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s foreign policy under General Secretary L\u00e2m\u2019s leadership and reflects a mutual commitment to peace, stability, maritime freedom, resilient supply chains, fair trade, sustainable development, and climate action. L\u00e2m outlined a \u201cnew model of cooperation\u201d that goes beyond technology transfer to co-creating future opportunities by combining the UK\u2019s expertise in advanced science, technology, healthcare, education, urban governance, energy transition, and financial services with Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s priorities in digital and green transformation, human resources development, innovation, and institutional reform.<\/p>\n
Concrete steps towards this collaborative vision have already been initiated, including several agreements witnessed by General Secretary L\u00e2m at Oxford University. These encompass a partnership between the Tam Anh Institute of Research and Oxford on healthcare training, research, and innovation; a research collaboration between Vietjet Air and Oxford on achieving net-zero carbon emissions in aviation through sustainable fuels, carbon offsetting, reforestation, renewable energy, and AI applications; and the establishment of the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship Fund, supported by Sovico Group and Oxford, which provides scholarships to outstanding Vietnamese scholars across healthcare, science, and business disciplines. These initiatives are expected to support joint research and pilot projects in critical areas such as public health, biotechnology, AI governance, climate change, clean energy, sustainable urban development, green finance, open education, and digital healthcare.<\/p>\n
The UK\u2019s commitment to this partnership is reflected not only in diplomatic elevation but also through existing networks such as the UK Science & Innovation Network (SIN) in Vietnam. SIN aims to bolster cooperation in areas including global health, climate and energy, emerging technologies, and science diplomacy, working closely with the British Council, the Department for Business and Trade, and the British Embassy in Hanoi. The refreshed UK-Vietnam strategic partnership also prioritises sustainable growth, focusing on urbanisation, water management, environmental protection, ocean governance, healthcare, and innovation. Both nations have reaffirmed their dedication to combating climate change through concrete actions aligned with the Paris Agreement, promoting sustainable consumption and production, and supporting Vietnam\u2019s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.<\/p>\n
Such collaboration is further supported by broader economic initiatives, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh\u2019s call for breakthrough cooperation in connectivity, digital transformation, green initiatives, and financial services. Vietnamese enterprises are encouraged to integrate into global production and distribution chains with British support, reflecting a comprehensive approach to bilateral economic partnership that aims to promote prosperity, peace, and regional stability.<\/p>\n
Moreover, Vietnamese academic institutions have been actively expanding ties with UK universities, fostering collaboration in education, research, and sustainable development. The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, for instance, has developed partnerships with multiple UK universities to facilitate student exchanges, joint research, seminars, and conferences that deepen educational and scientific linkages, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral Vietnam-UK relations.<\/p>\n
General Secretary L\u00e2m concluded his address by reiterating Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s aspiration to become a prosperous, humane, modern, and environmentally conscious nation, underpinned by values of peace, freedom, cooperation, and respect for international law. He envisioned Vi\u1ec7t Nam-UK relations as a model of strategic, practical cooperation with mutual respect and long-term vision, not only benefiting the two countries but also serving as a force for global peace, stability, and sustainable development in the 21st century.<\/p>\n