Affirming Viet Nam’s Position, Expanding Cooperation for Development
The working visit to the United States by His Excellency To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, from 20 September 2026 combines Viet Nam’s participation in the High-Level General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly with an intensive programme of bilateral engagements. The visit reflects Vietnam’s proactive, independent and self-reliant foreign policy, its commitment to multilateralism, and its determination to translate diplomatic achievements into new resources for national development.
At the United Nations, Viet Nam is reaffirming its steadfast support for the UN Charter, international law, and a rules-based multilateral system, while advocating for dialogue, sustainable development, and international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Viet Nam’s engagement at UNGA 81 also underscores its growing role as a proactive and responsible member of the international community.
A central focus of the visit is the further advancement of the Viet Nam – USA Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2023. After more than three decades of diplomatic relations, bilateral economic and trade ties have become a major pillar of the relationship. According to Viet Nam Customs, two-way goods trade reached US$172.3 billion in 2025, with Viet Nam’s exports to the United States exceeding US$153.1 billion. In the first eight months of 2026, bilateral goods trade reached US$137.42 billion, up 23.4% year on year, while the United States remained Viet Nam’s largest export market.
Against this backdrop, trade negotiations have assumed particular importance. During his meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on 21 September, To Lam called for continued efforts to resolve outstanding issues and for the early conclusion of the Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade Agreement, providing a stable and long-term framework for economic, trade and investment relations. Greer stated that the two negotiating teams had made significant progress and were approaching a final agreement.
The visit also highlights expanding cooperation in high technology, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, semiconductors, aviation, logistics, energy, education and human-resource development. Meetings with leaders of major US groups – including Apple, Boeing and Warburg Pincus – reflected Viet Nam’s aspirations to attract high-quality investment while promoting technology transfer, domestic business linkages and the development of highly skilled human resources.
Engagements with US lawmakers, American friends and other partners further contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and the social foundations of bilateral relations, including cooperation in overcoming the legacies of war, humanitarian assistance, maritime security and disaster response.
The United Nations and bilateral dimensions of the visit therefore reinforce each other. On the global level, Vietnam is asserting its role as a constructive and responsible partner; bilaterally, the country works to convert political trust into concrete economic, technological and development cooperation.
The visit demonstrates Viet Nam’s determination to leverage its achievements after four decades of Doi Moi to mobilise external resources, deepen international integration and advance the country’s development objectives, including its ambition to become a developed, high-income nation by 2045.
Source and photos: Embassy of the Social Republic of Viet Nam in Budapest
