Vietnam’s international standing received a significant boost following the visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm to the United States and Canada, according to Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung. The five-day trip, which took place from September 20 to 25, marked Tô Lâm’s first official visit to these countries in his current leadership role and included participation in the high-level General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.
During his address at the UN, Tô Lâm emphasized Vietnam’s development priorities and foreign policy direction, pledging the country’s continued commitment to addressing global and regional issues through enhanced multilateral cooperation. He advocated for a more prominent role for the UN in tackling international challenges, reflecting Vietnam’s aspirations on the world stage.
The Vietnamese leader’s itinerary also included meetings with senior officials, lawmakers, business leaders, academics, and Vietnamese communities in both the US and Canada. In discussions with US counterparts, topics of mutual interest such as trade and investment were prominently featured.
In Canada, a key outcome of the visit was the agreement to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, supported by an action plan encompassing various areas of cooperation. These discussions underscore the potential for deepened collaboration between the two nations.
Alongside Tô Lâm’s diplomatic engagements, Vietnamese officials and businesses conducted separate meetings in both countries, resulting in agreements aimed at fostering collaboration in sectors such as trade, investment, technology, education, energy, and transport. The trip highlighted opportunities for Vietnam to expand cooperation in emerging areas, including nuclear energy.
Looking ahead, Lê Hoài Trung emphasized the importance of implementing the commitments made during the visit. He identified key areas for cooperation, including science and technology, trade, investment, defense and security, energy, and education, as crucial for Vietnam’s ongoing global engagement and development.