HE Nguyen Hoang Long, Vietnam’s Ambassador to the UK

Vietnam is a success story of Southeast Asia, having transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations to a lower middle-income country in just a few decades. Unlike many other countries in the region, Vietnam’s economy grew 2.9 per cent last year – the top performer in Asia – reflecting the government’s initial success in limiting the impact of COVID-19.

However, the easier-to-transmit Delta variant has since forced Southeast Asian governments to impose lockdowns, threatening to undermine some economies which seemed on route to recovery. In its recent report, ADB revised Southeast Asia’s economic forecast down from 4.4 per cent to 4.0 per cent for 2021 due to the reimposition of pandemic restrictions. Vietnam saw its economy revised down from 6.7 per cent to 5.8 for this year.

To discuss Vietnam’s pathway to recovery as well as its trade, investment and climate strategy,  Asia House will welcome Vietnam’s Ambassador to the UK, HE Nguyen Hoang Long, for an in-person/hybrid briefing on Wednesday 1 September.

Speaking at Asia House, Ambassador Long will give an update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Vietnam’s economy as well as insights on Vietnam’s strategy towards economic recovery. The Ambassador will also share his thoughts on what Vietnam expects from the Strategic Partnership with the UK in the short and medium term, and the Data Protection Bill. Vietnam’s ambition of playing a greater role in global supply chains and its strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions will also be discussed.

Ambassador Long is an experienced diplomat. Before being appointed Ambassador of Vietnam to the UK, he served as the Ambassador of Vietnam to Italy. He has also served as the Director General of Department of Foreign Affairs for Provinces and the Deputy Director General, Department of Europe at Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This hybrid briefing is being held exclusively for Asia House Corporate Members. Find out more about Corporate Membership at Asia House.

To register interest in joining this briefing, please email Edward Danks, Programme Associate: edward.danks@asiahouse.co.uk