Vietnam’s international standing received a significant boost during the recent five-day visit of Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President, to the United States and Canada. According to Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung, the trip from September 20 to 25 opened avenues for deeper cooperation with these key North American nations.
During the visit, Tô Lâm participated in the high-level General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session, marking his first appearance at the UN in his current leadership role. This trip was also his inaugural visit to the US and Canada following Vietnam’s latest political transition. At the UN, Tô Lâm underscored Vietnam’s development priorities and foreign policy direction, advocating for stronger multilateral cooperation and an enhanced role for the UN in addressing global challenges.
In addition to his UN address, Tô Lâm engaged in meetings with senior officials, lawmakers, business leaders, academics, and Vietnamese communities in both the US and Canada. Discussions with US counterparts focused on bilateral relations and shared areas of interest, such as trade and investment. In Canada, the two countries agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, supported by an action plan targeting various cooperation areas.
The trip also saw Vietnamese officials and businesses conducting separate meetings with partners in both countries, resulting in agreements in trade, investment, technology, education, energy, and transport. Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung emphasized the importance of implementing the commitments reached during the visit. He highlighted science and technology, trade, investment, defense and security, energy, and education as key areas for increased cooperation. Nuclear energy was noted as a promising area for future collaboration.
This visit underscores Vietnam’s commitment to enhancing its global engagement and fostering stronger international partnerships, particularly with the US and Canada. As Vietnam seeks to implement the agreements reached, the potential for expanded cooperation could further solidify its position on the global stage.