Key facts
- Vietnam's President To Lam plans visits to Russia, France, the United States, and Canada this month.
- The visits aim to deepen ties with major partners amid trade uncertainty for Vietnam's export-reliant economy.
- To Lam is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 7.
- He will then travel to France to meet President Emmanuel Macron and attend the International Space Summit.
- To Lam is expected to speak at the UN General Assembly in the U.S. starting September 21.
- A visit to Canada is planned to begin on September 24.
Vietnam's leader, To Lam, is planning an extensive series of overseas visits this month, including trips to Russia, France, the United States, and Canada. These high-profile international engagements aim to deepen ties with major partners as Vietnam navigates trade uncertainty impacting its export-reliant economy. The schedule is exceptionally busy, even for To Lam, who has undertaken numerous foreign trips and hosted leaders since assuming power in 2024. His September itinerary also includes a meeting with Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing in Hanoi and follows recent state visits to Australia and New Zealand.
To Lam's international tour is expected to commence in Russia on September 7, where he will meet President Vladimir Putin. Discussions are anticipated to focus on building political trust in areas such as energy, defense, and security, with Russia being Vietnam's primary arms supplier. Following his visit to Russia, To Lam is slated to travel to France. In Paris, he is expected to meet President Emmanuel Macron and attend the International Space Summit on September 9-10. French firms have shown interest in Vietnam's railway, airport, and defense projects, following a space cooperation declaration signed during Macron's visit to Hanoi last year.
After a brief return to Vietnam, To Lam is scheduled to travel to the U.S. to participate in the United Nations General Assembly's high-level debate, which begins on September 21. Information regarding a potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump was not available, with the White House stating Trump's schedule for that period was not finalized. U.S.-Vietnam ties have faced strain due to Trump's focus on reducing trade imbalances, despite record Vietnamese exports to the U.S. The two leaders had a brief meeting in February as part of Trump's 'Board of Peace' initiative. From the U.S., To Lam is expected to proceed to Canada, with his visit commencing around September 24.
Separately, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to visit France from September 6-9 for a summit with President Macron. The Lumiere Summit, co-chaired by Lee and Macron on September 7, will gather approximately 150 individuals from politics and the film industry to discuss the future of film and video content, addressing challenges from AI, social media competition, and funding shortages. Lee will also attend a business roundtable with executives from about 20 South Korean and French companies on September 8, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in security, economy, and culture, particularly in AI, aerospace, and biotechnology. He is also set to meet with Yael Braun-Pivet, head of the French lower house, and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann on September 9.