Vietnam’s Party chief makes 1st state visit to DPRK in 18 years
Despite global challenges, Vietnam and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have maintained stable, constructive ties through regular political consultations and intergovernmental cooperation, guided by a sincere, forward-looking spirit and shared commitment to international law and mutual interests.
THE HANOI TIMES — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam this morning [October 9] arrived at Pyongyang for a three-day state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs Commission.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam on October 9. Photos: VNA
The trip marks the first state visit by a Vietnamese Party chief to the DPRK in 18 years, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The visit demonstrates the traditional friendship and enduring solidarity nurtured by generations of leaders from both nations.
Strengthening a 75-year friendship
Ambassador of Vietnam to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh described the visit as “a vivid symbol of the loyal and enduring friendship” between the two Parties, States and peoples.
“Over the past 75 years since establishing diplomatic ties in 1950, our two countries have always supported each other in national liberation and socialist construction,” he said, stating that high-level exchanges and cooperation have become more substantive, marked by deeper political trust and more practical outcomes.”
The visit takes place at a meaningful moment for both nations as Vietnam is celebrating major national milestones this year – the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party’s founding, the 50th anniversary of national reunification, and the 80th anniversaries of the August Revolution and National Day, preparing for the 14th National Party Congress. Meanwhile, the DPRK is marking the 80th anniversary of the WPK’s founding and preparing for its 9th Party Congress.
“This visit will serve as an important milestone in the development of both countries and in the long-standing Vietnam–DPRK relationship,” Ambassador Vinh noted.
During the visit, senior leaders of the two Parties and States are expected to exchange views on major orientations and measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in line with the interests and aspirations of both peoples, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region.
Children welcome Party chief To Lam at Pyongyang International Airport.
Building on solidarity legacy
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said the visit bears three major purposes, calling it “of great political and diplomatic importance.”
The visit reaffirms Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of valuing relations with traditional friends. The DPRK was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950. “Our friendship, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il Sung, has been continuously nurtured through history,” Vu stated.
It helps both sides’ top leaders discuss strategic directions for cooperation, promoting bilateral ties in areas such as health, culture, sports, people-to-people exchanges and agriculture.
The third one for Vu is that “Vietnam, as an active and responsible member of the international community, supports efforts and initiatives for peace, stability and development on the Korean Peninsula, in the region and globally.”
He expressed confidence that “the visit will create new momentum for bilateral cooperation and strengthen traditional friendship in line with the aspirations of the two peoples.”
Over the decades, high-level visits have marked milestones in the relationship, with President Ho Chi Minh’s official visit to the DPRK in 1957, Kim Il Sung’s visit to Vietnam in 1958 and more recent exchanges such as General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s 2007 visit to Pyongyang and Chairman Kim Jong Un’s official visit to Hanoi in 2019.
Exchanges between youth and social organizations have been strengthened, particularly through activities under the 2025 Vietnam–DPRK Friendship Year, deepening mutual understanding between the two nations.
Despite global and regional challenges, relations between Vietnam and the DPRK remain stable and constructive. The two countries have maintained diplomatic mechanisms such as political consultations between deputy foreign ministers and the intergovernmental committee on economic, trade, scientific and technical cooperation.
Deputy Minister Vu emphasized that both sides “share a sincere and forward-looking spirit” in maintaining dialogue and practical cooperation in accordance with international law and mutual interests.
