Sydney, June 18, 2025 – The Europe Today: The relationship between Vietnam and New Zealand is underpinned by more than five decades of personal and institutional connections, strengthened by shared values and expanding multilateral cooperation, Executive Director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Suzannah Jessep said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency.
Speaking to VNA’s correspondent in Oceania, Jessep traced the roots of bilateral ties to early engagements through family connections, medical professionals, and Colombo Plan scholars—relationships that laid a foundation of lasting goodwill. Vietnam joined the Colombo Plan in 2003, further solidifying educational and developmental collaboration.
“Today, those early connections are reinforced through educational exchanges, capacity-building programmes, short-term employment opportunities, and professional networks that promote mutual understanding and respect,” she said, noting that approximately 40,000 New Zealanders visited Việt Nam in 2024 alone.
Jessep highlighted that shared values and regional cooperation have played a vital role in deepening strategic trust between the two nations.
“Both Việt Nam and New Zealand are active contributors to regional and global institutions. We are committed to international law, an open and rules-based trading system, and regional peace and stability,” she noted.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation maintains a long-standing partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, which Jessep described as “one of our most valued partnerships,” providing a platform for mutual learning and exchange of perspectives.
Trade remains a central pillar of bilateral ties, underpinned by natural economic complementarities. While New Zealand exports high-quality dairy, timber, fruits, and processed food products, Việt Nam provides electronics, machinery, textiles, and footwear.
“This creates a robust foundation for future trade growth and mutual benefit—especially in a time of global trading disruptions,” Jessep remarked.
On defence cooperation, she cited the 2023 port visits by Royal New Zealand Navy vessels HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Aotearoa as emblematic of both countries’ commitment to maritime security and a rules-based regional order.
Looking ahead, Jessep identified several drivers for the next phase of the partnership, including Việt Nam’s regional leadership and economic dynamism, as well as New Zealand’s strategic priority of engaging more deeply with Asia. She also pointed to green technology, agri-tech, and renewable energy as emerging fields of collaboration that could enhance climate resilience and sustainable development.
For 28 years, the Asia New Zealand Foundation has monitored public perceptions of Asia. According to Jessep, recent data shows that over two-thirds of New Zealanders consider Việt Nam important to their country’s future, and half view Việt Nam as a friend—an eight-point increase since November 2023.
However, she acknowledged lingering challenges, such as geographical distance, limited direct flights, and visa processing inefficiencies that complicate business and tourism travel. Jessep called for enhanced familiarity with market conditions on both sides to bolster confidence and engagement.
“We need to deepen practical linkages and strengthen knowledge exchange among students, researchers, business leaders, and policymakers,” she emphasized. “Professional development programmes and industry-specific partnerships will play a critical role in this process.”
She also underlined the potential for broader bilateral and multilateral cooperation in areas such as digital innovation, high-tech agriculture, climate change mitigation, and the blue economy. The Vietnamese community in New Zealand—especially those in technology and business—was praised for serving as a vital cultural and commercial bridge.
Jessep highlighted initiatives like the Young Business Leaders Initiative, supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which connects emerging entrepreneurs from both countries to create networks built on shared values and innovation.
She concluded by stressing that the future of the relationship will be shaped by both internal commitment and external dynamics. “Strong government support, active private sector participation, and engagement from civil society are essential. At the same time, regional stability and our relations with major powers will also play a role.”
Commenting on the recent elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Jessep described it as a “reflection of deep mutual trust, shared values and long-term commitment.”
“It provides a structured mechanism for expanding cooperation in trade, security, innovation, and people-to-people links, enabling both countries to address challenges and seize opportunities more swiftly,” she said.
For businesses, the upgraded ties offer a signal of sustained government support, which Jessep believes will encourage greater investment and strategic partnerships. “For New Zealand exporters, it’s an opportunity to deepen market engagement, backed by clearer diplomatic facilitation,” she concluded.
