Vietnam Leader To Lam Begins UN, US, Canada Trip

General Secretary and President To Lam left Hanoi on September 20 leading a high-level delegation for a six-day overseas trip. The itinerary includes the UN General Assembly high-level week in New York, bilateral activities in the United States, and a state visit to Canada at the invitation of Governor General Louise Arbour.

This marks To Lam's first trip to the UN, the US, and Canada since the Communist Party's 14th National Congress and the election of the 15th National Assembly earlier this year. Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said the visit demonstrates Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, and proactive foreign policy.

“This is the first visit by a Vietnamese Party and State leader to Canada since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973.”

In Canada, the visit will be the first by a Vietnamese Party and State leader since diplomatic relations were established in 1973. Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang described it as a historic milestone to convert cooperation potential into concrete programs, particularly in trade, investment, science-technology, energy, and critical minerals.

Vietnam is currently Canada's largest trade partner in ASEAN, with two-way turnover growing strongly since the Comprehensive Partnership framework was established in 2017. Both countries also cooperate within the CPTPP framework and multilateral forums such as the UN, APEC, and La Francophonie.

At the UN, To Lam is scheduled to deliver a key speech at the 81st General Assembly as Vietnam and the UN approach the 50th anniversary of their relationship. Vietnam aims to reaffirm its support for the UN's central role in multilateralism and international law.