AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Viet Nam and New Zealand have agreed to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, placing trade, investment, science and technology and innovation at the centre of a renewed cooperation agenda aimed at generating more practical economic benefits for businesses and consumers.
The commitments were set out in a joint statement issued during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm’s state visit to New Zealand on August 12-13. The two sides trade and economic integration would remain a key pillar of the partnership and pledged to strengthen standards development, trade facilitation, information exchange and market access while working to reduce non-tariff barriers.
The two countries are targeting US$3 billion in two-way trade in 2026, with leaders identifying agriculture, aquatic products and seafood as areas with considerable scope for expansion. They also agreed to make greater use of the CPTPP, RCEP and AANZFTA to improve market access and strengthen regional economic integration.
Recent market-access arrangements for New Zealand honey and deer products and Vietnamese fresh flowers and foliage are expected to provide more immediate opportunities for exporters. The two sides also welcomed an arrangement on agricultural and environmental cooperation, including work to facilitate trade in agricultural, fisheries and forestry products through technical cooperation.
Technology is emerging as another important area of the upgraded partnership. Viet Nam and New Zealand agreed to explore opportunities in technology-driven, green and blue economies, while strengthening cooperation in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. New Zealand will share experience in digital government and in developing science and technology ecosystems, including support for innovation and start-ups.
The two sides also highlighted opportunities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced maritime technologies. Cooperation will include knowledge exchange, capacity building and the application of new technologies to maritime management and surveillance.
For Viet Nam, the partnership offers opportunities to leverage New Zealand’s expertise in high-quality human resources, advanced agriculture, climate resilience and green growth. New Zealand, meanwhile, gains greater access to a fast-growing Southeast Asian economy and to regional markets through Viet Nam’s extensive network of trade agreements.
Both governments also encouraged stronger air connectivity, including the establishment of direct flights, to support trade, investment, tourism and business links. The two sides said the next priority would be translating political commitments into concrete projects, commercial opportunities, technology cooperation and skills development.
