Gerry Brownlee, Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, is on his first official visit to Vietnam to show New Zealand’s recognition of Vietnam as a key partner in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.

Gerry Brownlee, Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, arrives in Hanoi on August 27. Photo: VNA

The visit comes half a year after Vietnam and New Zealand elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in late February. It also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Brownlee’s presence in Hanoi strengthens parliamentary diplomacy, and shows Wellington’s intent to deepen comprehensive cooperation, especially in trade with Hanoi.

New Zealand values Vietnam as an essential partner in the region, said New Zealand’s Ambassador Caroline Beresford.

The bilateral relationship is built on trust, mutual respect, and the shared vision of a prosperous and stable future, she told a recent meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang last week.

Brownlee is scheduled to meet Chairman of National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, senior Party leaders and key policymakers in an agenda that aims to advance trade, enhance parliamentary cooperation, and reaffirm collaboration in education, agriculture, and climate resilience.

Trade – key pillar of cooperation

Economic cooperation has been a defining feature of Vietnam–New Zealand relations. Both governments aim to doubling the figure to US$3 billion by 2026.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and New Zealand reached $1.3 billion in both 2023 and 2024.

Vietnam is a major exporter of electronics, textiles, footwear, seafood, and agricultural products to New Zealand, while importing dairy, fruit, wood products, and high-quality machinery.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang emphasized the importance of trade as a cornerstone of bilateral ties.

He said that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership opens new opportunities for businesses and communities on both sides to benefit from freer, fairer, and more sustainable trade.

With both countries being members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Brownlee’s visit is expected to reinforce their determination to use multilateral frameworks to expand trade and strengthen supply chain connectivity across the region.

Beyond commerce, Wellington has been an active development partner, providing more than NZ$26 million ($15.2 million) in aid to Vietnam between 2021 and 2024. These funds supported projects in sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and governance.

This reflects New Zealand’s commitment to helping Vietnam build resilience while fostering shared prosperity.

Role of parliaments in bilateral relations

While trade anchors the partnership, parliamentary diplomacy provides its political backbone.

Vietnam and New Zealand have steadily expanded legislative exchanges through regional and international forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

Speaker Brownlee’s meetings in Hanoi will deepen cooperation between committees, encourage exchanges among lawmakers, and enhance parliamentary oversight in areas ranging from climate change to digital transformation.

For both countries, legislatures play an essential role in ensuring that agreements between governments translate into practical benefits.

Brownlee’s first visit to Vietnam as Speaker symbolizes both continuity and renewal as the two countries build on five decades of steady progress in diplomacy, trade, and education, while reflecting their shared efforts to make full use of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The visit also highlights Vietnam’s growing stature in the Asia-Pacific and New Zealand’s recognition of Hanoi as a partner in addressing global challenges through sustainable trade for mutual interests that extend well beyond bilateral frameworks.

Deputy Minister Giang reaffirmed that Vietnam and ASEAN regard New Zealand as a key regional partner, noting that the 50th anniversary offers an opportunity to deepen bilateral and regional cooperation.

He highlighted the positive ASEAN–New Zealand relations, with full implementation of the 2021–2025 Joint Action Plan, and stressed the need to identify shared strategic priorities for the next five-year plan.

As the two nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, Speaker Brownlee’s visit lays the foundation for a future where trade, parliamentary cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges define the dynamic partnership.