The ceremony was held with the protocol reserved for a visiting head of state, combining a traditional Maori welcome with an official state ceremony.

During the ritual, two Maori elders greeted the Vietnamese leader through the hongi, a traditional Maori gesture of touching noses, and invited him to take part in the welcoming ritual.

The state visit takes place at a significant point in Vietnam-New Zealand relations, following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.

It is the first state visit to New Zealand by a Vietnamese General Secretary and State President, as well as the first visit by Vietnam's top leader to the country since the two sides established their new partnership framework.

The visit therefore carries both political and practical significance, providing an opportunity for the two sides to give greater substance to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and identify areas where cooperation can generate tangible benefits for both countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Phan Minh Giang has described the visit as an important milestone that is expected to provide fresh momentum for the bilateral relationship and help make the new partnership framework more substantive and effective.

The two countries have maintained close political ties and cooperation across a range of areas, while sharing interests in promoting peace, stability, sustainable development and resilience in the region.

Party General Secretary and President meets Vietnamese community in New Zealand

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation met with Vietnamese Embassy staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in New Zealand and South Pacific island countries in Auckland on August 12 evening (local time).