Viet Nam country profile
How do New Zealanders view Viet Nam in 2026?
This country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report. The survey was carried out in January and February 2026. Supplementary data relating to travel is from Stats NZ.
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
New Zealand and Viet Nam have developed a close and broad-based relationship since establishing diplomatic relations in 1975. The relationship was elevated from a Strategic Partnership in 2020 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Two-way trade was worth NZ$3.06 billion in the year to March 2025, making Viet Nam New Zealand’s 14th-largest trading partner and fifth largest in ASEAN.
How important is Viet Nam to New Zealand's future?
Almost a third of New Zealanders (32 percent) say Viet Nam is important or very important to New Zealand’s future.
Viet Nam's importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think Viet Nam is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2026
Why do New Zealanders see Viet Nam as important?
Trade links and import and export opportunities are the leading reasons why New Zealanders see Viet Nam as important to New Zealand’s future. New Zealanders also noted tourism ties, Viet Nam’s status as a manufacturing hub, as well as immigration and cultural ties.
“A lot of tourists, students and imported things come from Viet Nam to New Zealand which helps [to grow] New Zealand’s GDP.”
Male, 30-34 years, other European, Waikato
“Rapidly developing economy and a growing tourism industry. Also, New Zealand has a large Vietnamese diaspora.”
Male, 40-49 years, New Zealand European and Māori, Wellington
“Their worldviews and ours align on a number of things like healthcare, education and they have announced their intention to raise income per capita over the next few years with a clear 2045 goal. This shows us there is, and will be, a market for our products.”
Male, 35-39 years, New Zealand European, Hawkes Bay
Friend and threat perceptions
Almost half (49 percent) of New Zealanders see Viet Nam as a friend to New Zealand.
Just three percent of New Zealanders say Viet Nam represents a threat to New Zealand.
How much do New Zealanders know about Southeast Asia?
Forty percent of New Zealanders say they know at least a fair amount about Southeast Asia, compared to 54 percent who say the same of North Asia and 29 percent of South Asia.
Travel to Viet Nam
Golden Bridge, Da Nang, Viet Nam
New Zealanders made a total of 771,196 return trips to Asia in the year to January 2026, a 14 percent increase over the year before.
New Zealanders made a total of 36,896 return trips to Viet Nam in the year to January 2026, an increase of almost 26 percent over the previous year and the biggest increase of any Asian country. This makes Viet Nam Zealanders’ seventh most visited destination in Asia.
“I went there and I loved it and felt very safe as a solo female traveller.”
Female, 20-24 years, New Zealand European, Samoan and Niuean, Southland
“New Zealand has a great tourism relationship with Viet Nam, I have also been there and the people are lovely.”
Male, 25-29 years, New Zealand European, Auckland
Download the full Perceptions of Asia report
pdf, 12.47 MB
The Foundation's research programme commissions studies that support informed public conversations about New Zealand’s relationship with Asia. We also support the next generation of scholars through our Foundation Research Grants.
