Vietnam’s global engagement has been bolstered by President Tô Lâm’s recent visit to the United States and Canada, according to Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung. During the five-day trip from September 20 to 25, Tô Lâm participated in the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, marking his first appearance at the UN in his current leadership role. This visit also represented Tô Lâm’s initial diplomatic missions to the US and Canada following Vietnam’s latest political transition.
In his UN address, Tô Lâm emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to global and regional issues, calling for enhanced multilateral cooperation and advocating for a more significant role for the United Nations in addressing international challenges. The trip served as a platform for outlining Vietnam’s development priorities and foreign policy direction.
Throughout the visit, Tô Lâm engaged with senior officials, lawmakers, business leaders, and Vietnamese communities in both countries. In discussions with US counterparts, topics such as bilateral relations, trade, and investment were addressed. Meanwhile, Vietnam and Canada agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, supported by an action plan covering various areas of cooperation.
Separate meetings between Vietnamese officials and businesses with partners in the US and Canada resulted in agreements in sectors like trade, investment, technology, education, energy, and transport. The engagement is expected to advance Vietnam’s international position and open new opportunities for cooperation.
Lê Hoài Trung highlighted that Vietnam should now focus on implementing the commitments made during the trip. Key areas for further cooperation include science and technology, trade, investment, defense and security, energy, and education, with nuclear energy cooperation identified as a promising sector for expanded collaboration.