Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh is making an official visit to the UK on October 9-10 at the invitation of Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and
Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox (Source: VNA)
Deputy PM and FM Minh had a meeting on October 9 with Secretary of State for
International Trade Liam Fox, during which the two sides acknowledged the good
growth of trade-investment ties between the two countries in recent
years.
Two-way trade reached 6 billion USD in 2017, up 11 percent from 2016, while
total UK investment in Vietnam climbed to 3.71 billion USD, putting the UK at
the 15th place among 129 countries and territories investing in the
country.
Deputy PM Minh said he believed Brexit would not create negative impacts on the
trade-investment tires between Vietnam and the UK. He asked the UK to continue
backing Vietnam in enhancing ties with the European Union and advocating the
early signing of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement.
The Vietnamese Deputy PM thanked the UK government for providing development
aid for Vietnam over the past more than 20 years, assisting with Vietnam’s
socio-economic development and international integration. He asked the UK to
continue helping Vietnam access capital from its Prosperity Fund to improve the
business environment and cope with climate change.
The two sides welcomed the acceleration of negotiations on a bilateral free
trade deal in order to further intensify trade-investment ties and cooperation
in the framework of the World Trade Organisation after Brexit, thus
contributing to deepening the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership.
Secretary Fox appreciated Vietnam’s role in the Asia-Pacific, and expressed the
wish to maintain and expand economic-trade relations with Vietnam. He affirmed
that in its Global Britain strategy announced in 2017, the UK gives priority to
enhancing economic cooperation with important partners, including
Vietnam.
Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM had a meeting with
Viscount Astor, who recalled his good impression of the Vietnamese land and
people during his visit to the country in 2013.
Viscount Astor presented the Vietnamese guest with a special issue on Vietnam
published by the First Magazine on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of
Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties.
During the visit, Minh also had a working session with executives of several
big British groups. He took the occasion to announce Vietnam’s resolve and
efforts to build an action-oriented, innovative government of integrity.
He stressed that Vietnam is working to further improve its ranking in the
e-Government index of the United Nations, maintain socio-political stability,
while pushing forwards with economic restructuring, equitisation and divestment
at State-owned enterprises in accordance with market rules and in an open and
transparent manner, which Minh said is creating opportunities for British
investors to become strategic shareholders of big companies in Vietnam./.
Source: VNA
In the spirit of "Party members go first, the people follow”, all households of Party members in the Doan Ket sub-region in Da Bac town, Da Bac district, voluntarily removed gates and fences, and donated land when the road expansion project passed through their properties. Inspired by their example, 68 households in the sub-region quickly followed suit, contributing over 1,400 sq.m of residential and perennial cropland to widen the main road through the residential area. The exemplary role of Party members in Doan Ket stands as a shining example of studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, and lifestyle.
The Hoa Binh provincial People's Committee held a monthly meeting on May 29 to assess the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in the first six months of 2025, the progress of key projects, and some other important issues.
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh always expressed his deep affection and special concern for children and youth. He once emphasized: "Caring for and educating children well is the responsibility of the entire Party and the entire people”; "First of all, the family (i.e. grandparents, parents, siblings) must do this job well”. "the Party Committees…, the Children’s Committee, the Youth Union, the education sector, and all related organizations must have specific plans to ensure children grow healthier and more progressive”. His teachings has been remaining valuable and serving as the guiding principles in the work of protecting, caring for, and educating children. In line with this ideology, Hoa Binh Province has continuously been prioritizing and investing resources in the well-being of children in recent years.
Mr. Nguyen Phi Long, the alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee chaired the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee to provide opinions on several investment projects within the province. There was the attendance of Ms. Bui Thi Minh, the Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council; Mr. Bui Đuc Hinh, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee and other members of the Standing Committee; the leaders from other departments, agencies, and some localities.
The Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Hoa Binh province held a meeting on May 28 to honour outstanding village elders, village heads, and reputable individuals from local ethnic minority and religious communities.
In mid-May, the provincial Museum organised an exhibition named "Duoi la co Dang Cong san Viet Nam quang vinh” (Under the flag of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam). This meaningful activity took place in the joyful atmosphere to celebrate the country's major holidays and the Party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term, towards the 14th National Party Congress.