Vietnamese leader To Lam’s business trip to US achieves all goals, says Deputy PM

Reviewing the outcomes of the visit on September 28, Son said the Vietnamese leader engaged in nearly 50 bilateral and multilateral activities, including the UN Summit of the Future, the UN general debate and meetings with world leaders as part of the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, during his stay from September 21-25.

This was To Lam’s first multilateral foreign mission at the United Nations General Assembly. Vietnam conveyed a strong and clear message at the highest level regarding its foreign policy, reflecting its aspirations in the era of national advancement, and emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and international law in addressing global challenges, alongside other countries.

Vietnam continues to promote an image of a peaceful, stable, friendly, dynamic, innovative, reliable, and responsible nation within the international community.

“All of these factors help affirm Vietnam’s increasingly prominent role, position, and reputation as a country stepping into an era of international integration,” remarked Deputy Prime Minister Son.

To Lam made the most of the business trip to enhance Vietnam’s relations with various countries and international organizations, by holding dozens of meetings with leaders from different countries and organizations.

The business trip took place one year after Vietnam and the US upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and as both countries are to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.

To Lam engaged in 27 meetings with officials, former officials, members of Congress, the business community, friends, experts, scholars, students, and the Vietnamese community in the US. He delivered speeches at Columbia University and at an event marking a year of Vietnam – US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Through these activities, Vietnam continues to encourage the US to maintain its commitment to Vietnam’s top priorities in implementing the new partnership framework, including issues related to the market economy, breakthroughs in new areas such as AI, semiconductors, high-quality human resource training, cybersecurity, and addressing the consequences of war.

“Through the arrangement of the program and meetings, apparently the US places great importance on To Lam’s business trip, as reflected in the respectful welcome, particularly the meeting between President Joe Biden and General Secretary and President To Lam. This indicates that the US truly respects Vietnam’s political system, acknowledges the leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and desires to further develop the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” stated Son.

Partners and businesses from both countries reached numerous cooperation documents on important areas, particularly on high-quality human resource training and investment and trade collaboration in high technology and clean energy industries.

To build on these gains, Son said Vietnam needs to focus on priorities in its relationship with the United Nations and the US in the coming time.

For the United Nations, he said Vietnam needs to continue enhancing its proactive and creative engagement in UN activities and multilateral forums, demonstrating its unique role and identity through specific commitments, practical initiatives, and contributions that align with its role and position.

Vietnam should also continue to deepen its relationships to maximize international support and assistance from key partners regarding resources, technology transfer, capacity building, green transformation, and digital transformation.

For the US, Vietnam needs to continue strengthening political trust through contact and delegation exchanges; enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation; create a favourable environment for businesses from both sides; and elevate scientific collaboration to new heights.

Vietnam and the US should continue to prioritize addressing the consequences of war, focusing on dioxin remediation, demining in hotspots, assisting people with disabilities, and searching for, recovering, and identifying the remains of Vietnamese soldiers. Vietnam will also continue to fully cooperate with the US in locating American servicemen missing in action.

Additionally, Son said Vietnam and the US should enhance coordination and contribute more to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, emphasizing ASEAN’s central role and further promoting the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Mekong-US Partnership, while continuing to focus on dialogue, sharing and mutual support to narrow differences.