Vietnam's Top Leader Meets 'Friendly People' in US Visit

To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, met with "friendly people" from the United States in New York City on September 21 (local time), which was early morning September 22 in Hanoi. This meeting took place in the context of increasingly deepening relations between Vietnam and the United States across various fields, including politics, economy, and security, in recent years. Notably, since the US President's visit to Vietnam in September 2023, moves towards upgrading the bilateral strategic partnership have accelerated. While specific details of the meeting have not been disclosed, it is presumed that the Vietnamese side expressed its recognition that strengthening relations with the US is indispensable for Vietnam's economic growth and enhancement of its international standing. It is also thought that the US side conveyed its appreciation for Vietnam's economic development and its contributions to regional stability. Vietnam, while maintaining its one-party system, has introduced a market economy and achieved rapid economic growth. Deepening economic ties with Western countries, including the US, is one of the key factors supporting this growth. Particularly, amidst the complex relationship with China, strengthening ties with the US holds significant importance in Vietnam's diplomatic and security strategy. This meeting can be seen as a renewed demonstration of Vietnam's approach to skillfully manage its relationships with international actors, especially major powers, while maximizing its national interests.