The prince’s visit is the UK’s first high-level visit to Vietnam since the two countries established their strategic partnership in September 2010.

Prince Andrew, the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, also represented the British government at Hanoi’s grand millennial ceremony.

During the meeting, Mr Khiem, who is also Vietnam’s foreign minister, affirmed that Vietnam will boost its comprehensive and strong strategic partnership with the UK, especially in trade, investment, education and training.

He expressed pleasure that the UK has become Vietnam’s leading economic partner and pledged that the Vietnamese government will create the most favourable conditions for British enterprises to expand their investment and operate on a long-term basis in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew said he was happy to be in Vietnam to attend Thang Long-Hanoi’s 1000^th anniversary and witness the huge changes in Vietnam over the past years. He promised to contribute more to bilateral relations in the future.