The plan will help further promote the strategic partnership between the two countries in all areas in the near future, said Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at a virtual signing ceremony on Wednesday.

Bui showed his delight at the fact that the two sides have maintained cooperation mechanisms in the fields of politics, defense, agriculture, and health over the past year amid the complicated evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He congratulated New Zealand on its successful hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders' Week, which helped the country improve its role and position on the international arena.

Bui took the occasion to his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta to visit Viet Nam at an appropriate time.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nanaia Mahuta, Foreign Minister of New Zealand said her country attaches great importance to its strategic partnership with Viet Nam and stands ready to cooperate with the Southeast Asian nation in promoting economic recovery.

New Zealand expects to strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam in the areas of trade - investment, education, digital economy and climate change, said Mahuta.

On multilateral cooperation, she expressed thanks for Viet Nam’s strong support for New Zealand as the APEC Chair in 2021, emphasizing that that New Zealand is one of ASEAN's earliest dialogue partners./.