Viet Nam plays key role in ASEAN, Indo-Pacific Region, says Canadian diplomat

Nickel made the above statement during his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung in Ha Noi on June 29.

The diplomat appreciated Viet Nam's support for Canada to strengthen relations with ASEAN as well as negotiations between Canada and ASEAN to reach a free trade deal.

He promised that Canada will continue close coordiation with Viet Nam across all bilateral channels and through multilateral forums.

Nickel took the occasion to convey Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to Prime Minister Le Minh Hung to visit Canada at an appropriate time.

Prime Minister Le, for his side, noted with pleasure at the positive growth momentum of Viet Nam-Canada relations over the last decade since the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive partnership, notably, the two-way trade doubled to US$8.6 billion in 2025.

Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation in 2024-2026 period, and maintained cooperation in peacekeeping operations and training, said the Prime Minister.

He reaffirmed that Viet Nam wishes to further bolster the comprehensive partnership with Canada, especially in such fields like economy, trade, science and technology, innovation, green transition, and energy.

Le suggested both sides strengthen cooperation in human resource training for high-tech industries such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor chips; expand cooperation between the two sides' educational institutions. He also encouraged Canada's prestigious universities to open braches in Viet Nam.

The Prime Minister urged the two countries to continue close and effective collaboration and mutual support at regional and international organizations and forums, especially within the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) frameworks./.