Vietnam’s international presence has been significantly bolstered following a recent visit by 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 from September 20 to 25 enhanced Vietnam’s global standing and paved the way for expanded cooperation with these key partners.
During his visit, Tô Lâm attended the high-level General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session, marking his inaugural participation in this capacity at the UN. This visit also represented his first to the US and Canada since Vietnam’s latest political transition. In his address at the UN, Tô Lâm underscored Vietnam’s development priorities and its foreign policy direction, advocating for stronger multilateral cooperation and an enhanced role for the UN in tackling international challenges.
In addition to his UN engagement, Tô Lâm held discussions with senior officials, lawmakers, business leaders, academics, and members of the Vietnamese communities in both the US and Canada. His discussions with US counterparts focused on bilateral relations and mutual interests, particularly in trade and investment.
In Canada, the talks culminated in an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, supported by an action plan covering various areas of collaboration. This partnership is expected to facilitate closer cooperation in fields such as science and technology, trade, investment, defense and security, energy, and education. Lê Hoài Trung noted nuclear energy as a promising area for expanded collaboration.
The visit also saw Vietnamese officials and businesses engaging separately with partners in both countries, leading to agreements across sectors such as trade, investment, technology, education, energy, and transport. With these developments, Vietnam is poised to implement these commitments, aiming for deeper international cooperation and enhanced economic ties.