The visit, which included a series of business and political engagements, reinforced New Zealand’s position as a key trade partner of Vietnam and helped lift the country’s reputation as a safe and reliable supplier of world-class products and services.

The senior business delegation was comprised of some of New Zealand’s leading exporters to Vietnam spanning a range of sectors from food and beverage to renewable energy, technology and services, infrastructure, manufacturing and education.

“New Zealand businesses are well positioned to help Vietnam achieve its economic development priorities – including education, green transition, digitalisation and sustainable agriculture. I am delighted to be here in Vietnam to showcase New Zealand’s capabilities and explore new ways to enhance our trade and economic relationship. As we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, now is the perfect time to deepen ties and drive connections for mutual prosperity and growth,” said Mr Luxon.

While in Vietnam, New Zealand’s Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi where they discussed deepening the New Zealand-Vietnam bilateral relationship. He also spoke at the second ASEAN Future Forum about the importance of Southeast Asia cooperation to New Zealand.

As part of his visit the Prime Minister hosted a New Zealand Food and Beverage showcase in Ho Chi Minh City, held a partnership signing ceremony bringing together New Zealand and Vietnamese businesses. He also visited Vingroup in Hanoi and VietJet in Ho Chi Minh City.

A number of new partnership agreements and export deals were also achieved during the visit.

1. MOU between Alliance and Indoguna
   The Arrangement seeks to announce the appointment of official import partner for Alliance products in Vietnam.
2. A Group MOU between Bostock/ Golden Bay Fruit/ Mr Apple and Wincommerce 
   The Arrangement seeks to announce the direct import partnership & brand development in Vietnam with the biggest Modern Trade Retailer in Vietnam.
3. MOU between DairyWorks and An Nam Fine Food 
   The Arrangement seeks to announce the appointment of official import partner for DairyWorks products in Vietnam.
4. MOU between Fonterra Brands Vietnam and FPT Long Chau Pharmacy Chain 
   The Arrangement seeks to announce the Fonterra & Long Chau Pharma Chain – Strategic Nutrition Partners for the Community announcement.
5. MOU between Fonterra Brands Vietnam and MM Mega Market Vietnam 
   The Arrangement seeks to announce the Fonterra Brands Vietnam strategic partnership with MM Mega Market Vietnam to drive further expansion of Dairy in Vietnam.
6. MOU between GMP Dairy Limited and LOF International Dairy Products JSC 
   Strategic agreement with LOF International Dairy Products JSC to formalise ongoing collaboration in developing New Zealand health products.
7. MOU between Golden Bay Fruit and Tony Fruit 
   The Arrangement seeks to announce the long-term partnership development in Vietnam and volume commitment in the 2025 season.
8. MOU between Mr Apple and Bach Hoa Xanh 
   The Arrangement seeks to announce a direct import partnership and brand development in Vietnam.
9. MOU between T&G Vietnam and Wincommerce 
   The Arrangement seeks to announce the marketing and brand development boost with Wincommerce in Vietnam.
10. MOU between The Fresh Fruit Company of New Zealand Limited (‘Freshco’) and Biovegi 
    The Arrangement seeks to announce New Zealand Fresh Squash’s newfound access to the Vietnamese market and opportunities ahead for developing and growing the business in the near future for the Three Good Men brand.

New Zealand Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Minister for Women, Associate Minister of Agriculture and Associate Minister for ACC, Nicola Grigg, said: “Trade between New Zealand and Vietnam has grown significantly in recent years and we are determined to see it continue to flourish in the years ahead. New Zealand companies have a long history of partnering globally, delivering innovative solutions to global challenges and producing high-quality, safe and nutritious food and beverage. We are constantly looking at ways to improve, creating new products and technologies that better serve the changing demands of consumers around the world. This visit has shown that New Zealand’s exports remain in high demand, and I was delighted to support our business delegation as they forged new partnerships and advanced business deals with companies in Vietnam.”

Additional commercial partnership announcements:

Education:

• University of Auckland signed an MoU with Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh University of Technology (HUTECH) paving the way for HUTECH students to pursue opportunities in Auckland.
• Auckland University of Technology signed an MoU with Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City University of Science (VNU-HCMUS) that extends a historic relationship with a new focus on research activity in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and human-computer interaction.
• Media Design School signed an MoU with Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) to strengthen international collaboration, foster academic exchange, and create new opportunities for students.
• Neurofrog, a pioneering platform in neuroscience-driven early childhood development, announced the next phase of its joint venture with Vietnam’s largest parenting community, Cong Dong Bau to launch a co-branded parenting app providing daily neuroscience-based insights to millions of Vietnamese families.

 Healthtech:

• Orion Health and McCrae Hospitals announced a partnership with Sun Hospitals Group to expand their footprint in Vietnam and deliver a world-class fully integrated hospital information solution that connects patient, clinical, departmental and financial departments.

Aviation:

• International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ) (non-delegate) signed an MoU with VietJet Aviation Academy to explore the potential to train Vietnamese students in New Zealand. VietJet also announced details of a new route to New Zealand (via Australia) that will boost trade and tourism between the two countries.

Other:

• Better Packaging announced the launch of its POLLAST!C Poly Bags made from 100% recycled Ocean Bound Plastic direct to Vietnamese apparel manufacturers.
• Orillion announced the market readiness of new rodent bait technology that will significantly improve crop yields, prevent disease and ensure more sustainable farming practices.

Events:

• In Hanoi the Business Delegation visited Lotte Mart, FPT Corporation and Vingroup and took part in the official welcome ceremony and state dinner with Prime Minister Chinh. In Ho Chi Minh City, in addition to the F&B Showcase, the Delegation took part in a consumer insights session at New Zealand company Fonterra’s Vietnam headquarters and visited the VietJet Aviation Academy.

  

  Welcome ceremony for New Zealand PM

  VOV.VN - A welcome ceremony hosted by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon was held at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on February 26.