Vietnam has sought UK support in training personnel for its planned financial centres in HCM City and Da Nang, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh said during a meeting with UK Ambassador Iain Frew in Hanoi. Bình emphasised Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening strategic ties with the UK and proposed high-level exchanges, including visits in 2025 for the 15th anniversary of the partnership. Bilateral trade grew 18% to over USD8bn in 2024. Bình urged the UK to open its market further to Vietnamese products and encourage investment in Vietnam’s financial hubs, green energy, and high-tech sectors. The UK expressed readiness to share expertise, with British firms already engaged in Vietnam’s financial market.