By Julian Smith
UK Defense Attaché to Viet Nam
When Royal Navy vessel HMS Spey visited Viet Nam this year, it marked an important milestone for the United Kingdom’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific, as well as how we are translating our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into practical co-operation, from maritime security and United Nations peacekeeping to professional military education and defense innovation.
As Defense Attaché, I have seen the strength of our partnership lies not only in formal agreements or policy dialogues but built through the professional relationships between our armed forces, defense institutions and people.
Behind every policy dialogue, ship visit or training activity are individuals who are investing time and effort in building trust. These relationships often endure for decades and form the foundation for future generations.
This year also marks five years since the Royal Navy offshore patrol vessels HMS Spey and HMS Tamar sailed from the UK to begin a long-term deployment across one of the world’s most dynamic and strategically significant regions.
Since then, they have travelled thousands of nautical miles, supported humanitarian assistance operations, participated in multinational exercises, strengthened maritime partnerships and provided a visible demonstration of the United Kingdom’s enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific region’s security and prosperity.
For both the UK and Viet Nam, the sea is central to national prosperity. More than ninety per cent of global trade travels by sea, and secure maritime routes are essential to the continued growth of the Indo-Pacific economy.
As Viet Nam’s development is closely linked to international trade, freedom of navigation, maritime security and respect for international law are not abstract concepts. They are fundamental national interests. That is why Royal Navy ship visits hold such importance.
Since the signing of the UK-Viet Nam Defense Co-operation Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 and the establishment of a permanent UK Defense Section in Hà Nội in 2013, our defense relationship has matured into a trusted and practical partnership founded on mutual respect and common interests.
Over the past decade, our two countries have worked together across a wide range of areas. Vietnamese officers have attended some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious professional military education courses.
We have partnered closely in support of United Nations peacekeeping operations, helping prepare Vietnamese personnel for deployment to some of the world’s most challenging environments.
We have expanded cooperation in maritime security, hydrography, military medicine, geospatial intelligence and defense industry engagement. These activities may be diverse, but they are united by a common purpose: helping both nations become stronger, more capable and better-connected partners.
Recent visits by HMS Spey (Oct 2023 & Oct 2026) and HMS Richmond (Sept 2025) have provided valuable opportunities for professional exchanges between the Royal Navy and the Vietnam People’s Navy, strengthened people-to-people links and demonstrated the practical value of maritime cooperation.
The challenges facing our region increasingly transcend borders. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, natural disasters, cyber threats, transnational crime and disruptions to global supply chains cannot be addressed by any nation acting alone.
They require cooperation, dialogue and trust between like-minded partners. This is where the UK-Viet Nam defense relationship adds real value.
Through mechanisms such as the annual UK-Viet Nam Defense Policy Dialogue, military-to-military engagement, peacekeeping cooperation and maritime exchanges, our two countries are developing the habits of cooperation and mutual understanding that will enable us to navigate future challenges together. Importantly, this co-operation is not directed against any country.
Rather, it reflects our shared interest in a region where the rules based international order is respected, disputes are resolved peacefully, commerce can flow freely and all nations, regardless of size, are able to make their own choices free from coercion.
The United Kingdom greatly values Viet Nam’s constructive and pragmatic approach to regional affairs and sees considerable scope to deepen collaboration in maritime security, defense education, peacekeeping, cyber security, defense industry engagement and emerging technologies.
As both our countries continue to adapt to a rapidly changing strategic environment, our shared commitment to practical cooperation will become increasingly important.
As we look towards the future, I am confident that our defense partnership will continue to grow, contributing not only to the security of our two nations but also to a freer, more open and more prosperous Indo-Pacific for generations to come. — VNS
