General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm’s recent visit to the United States and Canada has been hailed as a significant step in enhancing Vietnam’s international standing and fostering deeper cooperation with these nations. Over the course of his five-day trip from September 20 to 25, Tô Lâm engaged in a series of high-level meetings and discussions, marking his first visit to these countries in his current leadership role.
During his visit, Tô Lâm participated in the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session, where he outlined Vietnam’s development priorities and foreign policy direction. In his address at the UN, he emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and the important role the UN plays in addressing global challenges.
In addition to his UN engagement, Tô Lâm met with senior officials, lawmakers, business leaders, academics, and Vietnamese communities in both the United States and Canada. Discussions with US counterparts focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade and investment.
The visit to Canada resulted in an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, supported by a comprehensive action plan that includes several areas of cooperation. Vietnamese officials and businesses also secured agreements with partners in both countries, covering sectors such as trade, investment, technology, education, energy, and transport.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung highlighted the importance of implementing the commitments made during Tô Lâm’s trip. He identified key areas for enhanced cooperation, including science and technology, trade, investment, defense and security, energy, and education, with a particular emphasis on the potential for collaboration in nuclear energy.