Vietnam elevates UK ties to top partnership amid US-China power rivalry

Move reflects Hanoi's push for resilience, self-reliance against global uncertainties

- Nga Pham

Vietnam has elevated its ties with Britain to a comprehensive strategic partnership, signalling its determination to avoid being caught between the US and China's power rivalry.

During Communist Party of Vietnam general secretary To Lam's three-day official visit to the UK from Oct 28 to 30, the two countries formalised the upgrade of Britain to become Hanoi's 14th top-tier partner - a move that analysts say reflects Vietnam's strategy for resilience and self-reliance amid global uncertainties.

Mr Lam and his host, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said in a joint statement that over the past five decades, the two countries "have built a strong and enduring partnership, underpinned by mutual respect and a shared vision of a safe, prosperous and sustainable future".

During Mr Lam's three-day visit, the two sides signed a notable agreement on undocumented migration.

Mr Starmer described it as a "landmark agreement" aimed at expediting the return process for undocumented migrants from Vietnam with no right to be in Britain.

British government statistics from April 2024 showed Vietnamese nationals made up 20 per cent of all small boat arrivals to Britain up to that point in the year - a tenfold increase compared with the same period the previous year and the biggest proportion of all foreign irregular arrivals.

Small boat arrivals accounted for 43,000 of the total 48,000 irregular arrivals in the year ending June 2025.

The migration deal comes as the Labour government faces mounting pressure to reduce the number of undocumented migrants and tighten immigration rules.

Britain and Vietnam also agreed to work together on six key areas, including politics, security, technology and economic cooperation.

From Vietnam's perspective, the visit by Mr Lam - the country's top leader - carries a significance beyond these agreements.

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