A Return Across Old Ties: To Lam’s Visit Reawakens Vietnam-North Korea Bonds

Dawn breaks over Pyongyang with smoke of anticipation in the air — flags flutter, echoing footsteps over cold pavement, as Vietnam’s leader prepares for a journey nearly two decades in the making. To Lam, General Secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party, is set to visit North Korea, invited by Kim Jong Un, to attend celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

This will be the first visit by a Vietnamese top leader to North Korea since 2007. It marks not only a ceremony of solidarity, but a signal: between two nations bound by ideology but distanced in commerce, a diplomatic bridge may be resurfacing. To Lam is expected to travel from October 9 to 11, accompanied by Vietnam’s Defence Minister Phan Van Giang. The trip is timed with North Korea’s big party-celebration and large-scale military parade.

Though Vietnam and North Korea share 75 years of diplomatic relations, trade between them is currently negligible. The last Vietnamese party chief to visit was Nong Duc Manh in 2007; prior to that, the relationship was more active. Now, after recent smaller official contacts, this high-level visit resurrects notions of camaraderie across the ideologically aligned yet economically disconnected countries.

Observers note that the timing holds multiple messages: for North Korea, a reinforcement of international legitimacy in the face of sanctions and isolation; for Vietnam, a balancing act in foreign policy, affirming historical ties while navigating regional alliances. It could also foreshadow deeper cooperation or at least increased diplomatic exchange.

Still, this is a symbolic visit more than a substantive one — there’s no immediate announcement of trade agreements or major policy shifts. Many questions remain: what will exactly be discussed? What commitments might emerge? Will Vietnam’s participation in global and regional forums color this return to Pyongyang.

To Lam, Vietnam’s top party leader, will visit North Korea from October 9 to 11 at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese leader in almost 20 years. The trip coincides with the 80th anniversary of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, and will be joined by Vietnam’s defence minister. Vietnam and North Korea maintain diplomatic relations, though their trade ties are currently minimal. AI Image Disclaimer “Illustrations were produced with AI and serve as conceptual depictions.”

Sources

1. Reuters 2. KCNA 3. Yonhap News Agency 4. Channel News Asia 5. The Korea Times