He said his visit aims to strengthen Vietnam’s cooperation with traditional partners of the former Soviet Union, including Belarus, and to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

The Party leader briefed the community on Vietnam’s recent developments, noting that after nearly 40 years of implementing the Đổi Mới (Renovation) process, Vietnam has achieved historic milestones. In 2024, the national economy reached a scale of over US$470 billion, ranking 32nd globally, and was among the top 20 economies in trade and foreign investment attraction.

The country has now established the comprehensive partnership with 34 partners globally, including 12 comprehensive strategic partners, 8 strategic partners, and 14 comprehensive partners, encompassing all UN Security Council permanent members, G7, and G20 countries.

Looking ahead, he said, Vietnam would seize strategic opportunities, accelerate progress toward key Party-defined goals, and maintain steadfast commitment to innovation, with science and technology as the core driver.

He affirmed the deep-rooted traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus, dating back to the Soviet era, highlighting that President Ho Chi Minh visited Belarus three times (1957, 1961, 1962), and that Belarusian experts supported Vietnam during the war against American imperialism. Many Vietnamese students and researchers trained in Belarus have contributed significantly to national development.

According to the Party leader, the two countries maintain bilateral cooperation in areas such as politics and diplomacy, security and defence, science and technology, education and training, culture, sports, and tourism, transportation and health, as well as local-to-local collaboration.

A key outcome of this visit, he said, would be an agreement to establish a Strategic Partnership, marking a major step forward in bilateral trust and comprehensive cooperation.

The Party leader praised the Vietnamese community in Belarus for their close-knit bond, saying despite its small size, the community has made notable contributions, with some entrepreneurs investing back in Vietnam. He encouraged them to uphold their heritage and contribute to a prosperous and strong Vietnam.

He also commended the Vietnamese Embassy for its effective performance despite its modest size, urging embassy staff to embody a spirit of public service, viewing the embassy as a “common home” for all Vietnamese expatriates there. He underscored the importance of supporting the Vietnamese community in alignment with Party directives and national development objectives.

The General Secretary hoped that the expatriates would continue to foster patriotism and unity in support of a stronger, more prosperous Vietnam.

A high-raking Vietnamese delegation led by Party General Secretary To Lam arrived in Minsk on May 11, beginning a state visit to Belarus at the invitation of President Alexander Lukashenko.

Vietnam – Belarus friendship must be cherished, strengthened, says Party leader

VOV.VN - Party leader To Lam has said the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus is a valuable asset that must be cherished, preserved, and strengthened.