General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm’s recent visit to the United States and Canada has bolstered Vietnam’s international standing and opened new avenues for cooperation, according to Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung. The five-day trip, spanning from September 20 to 25, marked Tô Lâm’s first visits to these countries in his current leadership role following Vietnam’s latest political transition.
During his time in the United States, Tô Lâm attended the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session, where he articulated Vietnam’s development priorities and foreign policy direction. In his address, he emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to global and regional issues, advocating for stronger multilateral cooperation and a more significant role for the UN in addressing international challenges.
In addition to his UN appearance, Tô Lâm engaged in discussions with senior officials, lawmakers, business leaders, academics, and Vietnamese communities in both the US and Canada. His meetings with US counterparts focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring mutual interests, particularly in trade and investment.
The visit to Canada resulted in a significant diplomatic development, as Vietnam and Canada agreed to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, accompanied by an action plan targeting various areas of cooperation. This partnership aims to enhance collaboration in multiple sectors, including trade, investment, technology, education, energy, and transport.
Separate meetings held by Vietnamese officials and businesses with partners in both countries led to agreements across several key areas. These include trade, technology, and education, with a notable emphasis on energy and transport sectors. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung emphasized the importance of implementing the commitments made during the visit, highlighting potential growth in science and technology, defense and security, and notably, nuclear energy cooperation.
The series of meetings and agreements during Tô Lâm’s North American visit underline Vietnam’s strategic intent to deepen its global engagement and fortify its international partnerships.