Wellington: Research institutions of Vietnam and New Zealand have reached an agreement to promote more regular and substantive cooperation mechanisms, including a proposal to establish a Vietnam Centre at the New Zealand Asia Institute (NZAI) under the University of Auckland. The proposal was discussed at a meeting between a delegation from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and the Central Council for Theoretical Studies, led by Prof. Dr Nguyen Xuan Thang, chairman of the council, and NZAI leaders headed by Associate Professor Antje Fiedler, the institute's director, during a state visit to New Zealand by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the establishment of a Vietnam Centre at the NZAI is expected to enhance academic cooperation and promote mutual understanding between the two countries. This new centre would serve as a hub for strategic research collaboration, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise in various fields.

The meeting highlighted the mutual interest in strengthening bilateral research ties and emphasized the importance of fostering a robust framework for academic exchange. Both parties expressed their commitment to building a sustainable partnership that aligns with their respective national interests and academic goals.