Vietnam's Top Leader Embarks on Visits to Russia, France, Attends Int'l Space Summit

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed Hanoi on September 7, 2026, for official visits to Russia and France, and to attend the International Space Summit. The visits are made at the invitations of Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron. The delegation includes Politburo members and Secretaries of the Party Central Committee: Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Organization; Trinh Van Quyet, Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Publicity; and Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Policy and Strategy. Also accompanying the top leader during the trip are Politburo members: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Tran Duc Thang. The trip is of great importance both bilaterally and multilaterally, as it aims to strongly implement the foreign policy outlined by the 14th National Party Congress, strengthen political trust and create an external environment conducive to Vietnam's development in the new era. The trip is also expected to help mobilize international resources for national development. As Vietnam pursues economic growth under its one-party system, it places significant importance on strengthening international relations. Relations with major powers like Russia and France are crucial for deepening economic and technological cooperation while maintaining geopolitical balance. This visit is positioned as part of Vietnam's broader foreign policy strategy.