1. Political Relations:
 - Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on 19 June 1975.
- New Zealand restored relationship with Vietnam in November 1989
- The New Zealand embassy was opened in Ha Noi and its General Consulate was opened in Ho Chi Minh city in November 1995.
- Vietnam’s embassy was opened in New Zealand in May 2003.
a. Vietnamese leaders’ visits to New Zealand:
+ Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet (May 1993).
+ VCP Secretary General Do Muoi (July 1995)
+ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cam (July 1996 and February 1997)
+ Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (May 2005)
+ Vice Chairman of Vietnamese National Assembly Truong My Hoa (October 2001)
+ Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Dinh Bin (May 2003 and attended the Opening Ceremony of Vietnam’s Embassy in NZ)
+ Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien (February 2004)
+ Chairman of Vietnam National Assembly (July 2004)
+ State visit by President Nguyen Minh Triet (September 2007).
- Visits to Vietnam by leaders of New Zealand:
+ Prime Minister James Bolger (November 1995)
+ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mc Kinnon (July 1994 and 1999)
+ Prime Minister Helen Clark (June 1998 and October 2003)
+ Speaker of Parliament Jonathan Hunt (April 2000)
+ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Phil Goff (July 2001 and 2004)
+ Minister of Trade Negotiation Jim Sutton (March 2003)
+ Minister of Education Trevor Mallad (May 2003)
+ General Governor Mdm Silvia Cartwright (November 2005).
- On the official visit to New Zealand by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, the two Prime Ministers signed “Declaration on cooperation between Vietnam and New Zealand” affirming determination to push up cooperation between the two countries in the coming decades and establish a comprehensive, long - standing and stable partnership.
- Besides the bilateral cooperation, Vietnam and New Zealand have coordinated well in multilateral fora.

2- Economic relations:
- In terms of Trade: the two way trade turnover reached nearly 200 US$ million in 2000 and Vietnam is always in trade surplus. In 2006, the volume reached about 198 US$ million (Vietnam exported nearly 50 US$ million and imported about 148 US$ million). New Zealand exports to Vietnam agricultural products such as: butter and milk (70-80% export items), leather, feather, timber pulp, chemicals, cattle feeds; imports from Vietnam: shoes (30%), furniture (18%), pottery, textile and cashew nuts. In 2005, Vietnam established a Trade Representative Office in New Zealand.
- In the field of investment: By the 5th January 2007, New Zealand had 13 investment projects in Vietnam with a total capital of over 35 US$ million (ranking the 42nd among 74 countries and territories investing in Vietnam). New Zealand’s projects concentrate on the following fields: timber processing, nickel ore exploration and processing, beverage production, milk processing, concrete production, color - plated, bamboo export products, construction, and hotel service. New Zeeland’s projects have registered capital about 4.5 US$ million per project. New Zealand’s investment concentrates on 6 cities/provinces: Son La, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh city.
- Official Development Aid - ODA: New Zealand has formally granted ODA to Vietnam since 1995. The amount of ODA is increasing. In the 2005-2006 fiscal year, New Zealand granted Vietnam 4.7 NZ$ million and the total amount of New Zealand’s ODA in 2006-2007 is 6.7 NZ$ million. In the coming 3 fiscal years, the aid amount will increase to more than 10 NZ$ million per year. New Zealand aid concentrates on some priority fields such as: human resource development, agricultural and rural development, health and State management. Some ODA projects of New Zealand, though in small size, are fairly effective.

3-The signed agreements:
- Agreement on Trade and Economic
- Agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection  
- Agreement on Aviation cooperation.

4- Cooperation mechanisms:
- Political Consultation between two Foreign Ministries
- Joint Commission on Trade and Economics between two countries (since 2005)
- Defense Consultation between two Defense Ministries (March 2007).