Signal Canada, Vietnam elevate ties to strategic partnership in first-ever visit by party chief

Summary

Vietnamese General Secretary and President Tô Lâm made a state visit to Canada on September 24-25, 2026. It was the first official visit to Canada by a Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary since diplomatic relations began in 1973. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Tô Lâm elevated ties to a strategic partnership with eight pillars, including trade and investment, digital transformation and AI, energy security, food security and defence. Vietnam is Canada's largest ASEAN trading partner, with agri-food and seafood trade near $1.7 billion in 2025, and ASEAN-Canada free trade talks continue. Memoranda were signed on maritime transport, energy cooperation, environmental cooperation and agricultural food safety, along with an agreement to expand air service. Vietnam will set up a permanent Defence Attaché Office in Canada, and both sides support peaceful resolution of South China Sea disputes under international law.