During the meetings, the Vietnamese leader met with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, underscoring Vietnam’s growing diplomatic and strategic role in the Indo-Pacific.

The engagements took place as Vietnam drew heightened international attention after the leader was invited to deliver a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defence and security forum.

Representatives from the three countries noted that Vietnam’s participation in the Shangri-La Dialogue reflected the increasing importance attached to the country’s voice and approach in addressing regional strategic issues.

They also praised Vietnam’s emphasis on dialogue, confidence-building and cooperation at a time when the regional security environment is facing rapid and complex changes.

Vietnam and US seek deeper strategic cooperation

During a meeting with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam considers the United States one of its most important strategic partners and expressed support for further implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

He also called on the United States to facilitate broader access to advanced technologies and high-tech products, aiming to promote more balanced and substantive economic cooperation between the two countries.

Hegseth reaffirmed that President Donald Trump and the US administration consistently attach importance to relations with Vietnam, as well as Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the region.

He also praised Vietnam’s goodwill-based, consistent and responsible approach to international issues, saying the country is increasingly viewed as a partner capable of making substantive contributions to regional peace and stability.

The two sides agreed to expand practical cooperation across trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, defense and security.

A notable point in the discussions was Vietnam’s reaffirmation of its readiness to contribute more actively to international peace initiatives, including participation in the Peace Council on Gaza.

The two sides also agreed to continue ongoing cooperation programmes addressing war legacy issues, describing them as an important factor in strengthening mutual trust, healing the past and laying a stable, long-term foundation for Vietnam–US relations.

On this occasion, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam conveyed his invitation to President Donald Trump to visit Vietnam.

Vietnam and Australia focus on supply chains and energy resilience

Meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening economic resilience amid global uncertainties, particularly in energy security and supply chain stability.

Marles praised Vietnam’s proactive, balanced and responsible approach to regional issues. He reaffirmed that Australia considers Vietnam one of its most trusted partners in the region and expressed Canberra’s desire to further deepen bilateral ties in a substantive and mutually beneficial manner.

General Secretary and State President To Lam welcomed recent policies introduced by the Australian Government to mitigate the impact of external economic uncertainties, noting that this is also an area where the two countries could further enhance exchanges, share experiences and strengthen coordination in the coming period.

The Vietnamese leader also acknowledged and highly appreciated Australia’s effective support for Vietnam in the field of defence, particularly in English-language training for officers, military medical training, support for United Nations peacekeeping forces and the transportation of Vietnam’s field hospitals to South Sudan.

He proposed that Australia continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese citizens, especially students, while supporting the Vietnamese community in Australia to develop stably and contribute positively to both the host country and bilateral relations.

Marles praised the role of the Vietnamese community in Australia, describing it as an important bridge helping strengthen mutual understanding, people-to-people connectivity and friendship between the two countries.

Vietnam and Australia agreed to work toward raising bilateral trade turnover to US$20 billion and doubling two-way investment in the coming years.

Alongside traditional areas such as education, development cooperation and defense, the two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, energy and critical minerals.

On this occasion, General Secretary and State President To Lam recalled his phone call to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on April 24, 2026, and expressed hope that the Australian Prime Minister would soon pay a return visit to Vietnam and attend the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in 2027.

Vietnam and Japan deepen security and technology cooperation

At the meeting with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, both sides highlighted the strong momentum in the Vietnam–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Shinjiro reaffirmed that Japan highly values its relationship with Vietnam and appreciates Vietnam’s growing role and standing in the region.

Japan desires to further strengthen cooperation across various areas, including defence and security, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework between the two countries, he told the Vietnamese leader.

General Secretary and State President To Lam said Vietnam is actively implementing agreements reached following the recent visit to Vietnam by the Japanese Prime Minister.

He proposed that the two sides continue maintaining regular high-level exchanges and contacts, while effectively utilising existing dialogue and consultation mechanisms. He also called for stronger cooperation in defence and security, law enforcement capacity building, United Nations peacekeeping operations, military medicine, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and human resource development.

The Vietnamese leader further emphasised the importance of close coordination and continued exchanges on regional and international issues of mutual concern, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

Shinjiro assured that Japan would continue working closely with Vietnam to effectively implement the agreements and common understandings reached by the two countries’ senior leaders.

Vietnam and Singapore push beyond connectivity toward joint innovation

VOV.VN - Vietnam and Singapore should foster cooperation in science, technology and innovation, moving beyond traditional connectivity toward a new model centred on joint innovation, shared technological capabilities and long-term strategic development.