General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam will attend the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, take part in bilateral activities in the United States and make a state visit to Canada from Sept. 20-25 at the invitation of Canadian Governor General Louise Arbour.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said the trip comes at a time of rapid and profound changes in the global landscape.

The visit will provide an opportunity for Vietnam to convey at the highest level its message of a country entering a new era of development, with a strong vision, determination and ambition to advance.

To Lam's attendance and address at the UN General Assembly's high-level debate carries particular significance as Vietnam and the United Nations move toward the 50th anniversary of their relationship. It also underscores Vietnam's support for and commitment to the UN's central role in multilateral cooperation and the promotion of respect for international law.

During the trip, To Lam will also share with other world leaders lessons from Vietnam's 40 years of Doi Moi economic reforms and contribute practical initiatives aimed at addressing common challenges facing humanity.

His bilateral activities in the United States are expected to help implement understandings reached by senior Vietnamese and US leaders while continuing to advance the two countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a stable, substantive, effective and sustainable manner.

The visit will also provide an opportunity for greater high-level engagement and discussions on issues of strategic and long-term importance to bilateral relations, while strengthening mutual understanding and support for Vietnam and Vietnam-US ties among different groups in the United States.

For Canada, the visit comes on the foundation of strong bilateral relations and significant achievements across multiple areas of cooperation. It is expected to provide fresh political momentum for Vietnam-Canada relations to become more substantive, balanced and effective, in line with the potential, strengths and needs of both countries.

The visit is also expected to open a more strategic and comprehensive phase in relations between Vietnam and Canada.

Expectations for To Lam's diplomatic trip

Looking back at the development of Vietnam's relations with the United Nations, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said the relationship is now at a particularly strong and substantive stage.

From its struggle for independence, Vietnam has emerged as a highly trusted partner, making proactive, responsible and groundbreaking contributions across the UN's core pillars.

Vietnam, as an active and responsible member of the international community, has continued to strengthen its international standing by proactively participating in, leading and shaping global initiatives across a range of key areas.

Achievements in Vietnam-US relations over more than three decades have been broad and substantive. The two countries have built an increasingly solid foundation for cooperation based on respect for the UN Charter, international law, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and each other's political systems.

The scale and scope of bilateral cooperation have also expanded across strategic fields. Political trust has continued to strengthen, with regular exchanges and contacts at multiple levels. Cooperation in addressing the legacies of war has been a notable area of bilateral relations.

Economic, trade and investment ties have become a driving force in the relationship, with the two economies increasingly interconnected and complementary. The two sides are actively expanding cooperation into strategic and future-oriented areas including science and technology, innovation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, energy transition and the development of a highly skilled workforce.

Defense and security cooperation continues to develop effectively, contributing to stronger political trust. People-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education, healthcare and culture are also expanding. The Vietnamese community in the United States continues to serve as a bridge and make positive contributions to bilateral relations.

With Canada, more than half a century of diplomatic relations and nearly a decade under the Comprehensive Partnership framework have created an increasingly solid foundation for bilateral ties.

Political trust has strengthened, while cooperation in the economy, trade and investment has developed dynamically. Cooperation in education and training, science and technology, defense and security, and people-to-people exchanges has also become increasingly substantive.

In particular, the two countries are seeking to make science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy and human resource development new drivers of their relationship.

Vietnam and Canada also share similar views on international law, free trade and the maintenance of regional peace and stability.

The two countries have complementary strengths. Vietnam is entering a new era of development, with science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and deeper international integration among its priorities. Canada, meanwhile, is seeking to diversify its markets and strengthen engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.

Against this backdrop, Dang Hoang Giang said he expects To Lam's trip to help further strengthen and deepen Vietnam's relations with the United Nations, the United States and other partners, while advancing Vietnam-Canada relations in a more substantive and closely connected direction.

Tran Thuong