The invitation has bene extended by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the ministry said in a press communique.

2025 is a special year for Vietnam and New Zealand as the two countries are celebrating 50 years of their diplomacy and five years of their Comprehensive Partnership.

During his meeting with New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford in Hanoi last August, PM Pham Minh Chinh expressed his hope to welcome PM Christopher Luxon on an official visit to Hanoi in early 2025 to discuss bilateral cooperation on a special occasion.

He proposed that both sides establish concrete roadmaps and steps to work towards upgrading bilateral relations and implementing breakthrough measures to raise two-way trade turnover to US$3 billion in 2026.

During his stay, PM Luxon will participate in the second ASEAN Future Forum to be held in Hanoi on February 25-26.

Themed "Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN Amidst Global Transformations", the event will bring together high-level leaders and representatives from ASEAN countries and their dialogue partners, representatives from regional and global organisations, experts, scholars, and businesses, among others.

The forum aims to create an open platform for discussing key issues, particularly within ASEAN, providing ideas, proposals, and initiatives that help shape ASEAN's future development.

Vietnam, New Zealand hold 13th political consultation

Vietnam and New Zealand agreed to enhance political trust through more bilateral exchanges and consultations, strengthen defence and security cooperation, and strongly implement practical measures to facilitate market access for each other's products, aiming to reach the trade target of US$3 billion.