Vietnam's Top Leader Departs for UNGA 81, State Visit to Canada

Vietnam's top leader, Party General Secretary and President To Lam, departed Hanoi on the morning of September 20 for a trip that includes attending the 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA 81) high-level general debate, engaging in bilateral activities in the U.S., and undertaking a state visit to Canada. The significant diplomatic itinerary is scheduled to take place from September 20 to 25. The official delegation accompanying the top leader includes Politburo members Le Minh Tri, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs, and Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Policy and Strategy Commission. Also part of the entourage are Politburo members Gen. Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; Gen. Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security; and Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Further members of the delegation include Party Central Committee members Nguyen Hai Ninh, Chief of the Party Central Committee Office; Ngo Van Tuan, Minister of Finance; Le Manh Hung, Minister of Industry and Trade; Vu Hai Quan, Minister of Science and Technology; Trinh Viet Hung, Minister of Agriculture and Environment; and Dao Hong Lan, Minister of Health. The delegation also includes To An Xo, Assistant to the Party General Secretary and President and head of the Party General Secretary’s Office; Nguyen Quoc Dung, Ambassador of Vietnam to the U.S.; Do Hung Viet, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN; and Pham Vinh Quang, Ambassador of Vietnam to Canada. The visit is expected to make an important contribution to further strengthening and deepening Vietnam’s relations with the UN, the U.S., and its partners. It particularly aims to promote more substantive and closely connected Vietnam-Canada ties. The trip will also serve as an opportunity to reaffirm Vietnam’s proactive and responsible role in global issues and highlight its contributions to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development. Under Vietnam's one-party system, the top leader's diplomatic engagements are crucial opportunities to reflect the nation's decision-making and international standing. This visit is seen as part of Vietnam's foreign policy strategy, considering the international challenges facing its rapidly growing economy and its geopolitical balancing act.