Party General Secretary of Vietnam, To Lam, accompanied by his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly and a high-ranking delegation, undertook an official visit to the United Kingdom from October 28 to 30, 2025. This visit, made at the invitation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlights the strengthening of bilateral relations between Vietnam and the UK, which have been formalized since 1973 and recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs statements, the visit aimed to advance cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, education, climate action, and technology, supporting shared goals of peace, stability, and sustainable development.
During his visit, To Lam had a significant engagement with the Vietnamese community in London, marking his first official meeting in the UK. At this gathering, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK, Do Minh Hung, expressed gratitude and underscored the Communist Party and State’s deep regard for overseas Vietnamese. The ambassador highlighted the vibrant Vietnamese community in the UK, now exceeding 100,000 people, who balance active integration into local society with a strong patriotic spirit, cultural preservation, and mutual support. This community, enriched by entrepreneurs and intellectuals, plays a vital role in promoting trade, scientific cooperation, and technology partnerships between Vietnam and the UK.
General Secretary To Lam, speaking at the event, emphasised that his visit coincided with a flourishing period in Vietnam-UK relations. He called on British authorities to facilitate conditions for the Vietnamese community to live securely and prosper, positioning them as a critical bridge fostering friendship and collaboration between the two nations. Notably, he stressed the importance of human resources in driving science and technology development, reaffirming that Vietnam offers special incentives to attract top experts and skilled professionals to fuel the country’s economic resilience and innovation. To Lam also encouraged the Vietnamese diaspora, especially students in the UK, to maintain their cultural ties, notably through Vietnamese language education, to strengthen their links to the homeland. The Party leader urged students to excel academically while contributing constructively to their local communities and reaffirmed the State’s open-door policy for those who wish to return and support national development.
The visit also marks a diplomatic milestone, as Britain and Vietnam agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic comprehensive partnership—Vietnam’s highest level of diplomatic ties, equivalent to those maintained with major powers such as China, the United States, Russia, and France. During his London visit, To Lam was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Starmer at Downing Street to exchange cooperation agreements and issue a joint statement. Although the specific details of these agreements remain undisclosed, they are expected to cover key sectors including health, education, and aviation. Additionally, To Lam planned to visit Oxford University to formalize pacts in these areas, underscoring the emphasis on intellectual and academic collaboration.
The delegation accompanying General Secretary To Lam comprised several Politburo members and senior officials across diverse ministries, including national defence, public security, foreign affairs, finance, science and technology, education, and ethnic minorities. This highlights the multifaceted nature of the visit, reflecting its importance not only in enhancing bilateral ties but also in aligning strategic and internal Vietnamese policy priorities with its international partnerships.
In a gesture reinforcing cultural connections, To Lam and his spouse presented the Vietnamese Embassy and the community with gifts, including Vietnamese-language books for children and language classes, aimed at deepening younger generations' knowledge of Vietnam's history and heritage. This act symbolises the ongoing commitment to nurturing national identity among overseas Vietnamese, ensuring their role as vital contributors to Vietnam's socio-economic progress remains strong.
Overall, the visit of Party General Secretary To Lam to the UK represents a pivotal moment in bilateral diplomacy, domestic outreach to the diaspora, and the strategic positioning of Vietnam on the international stage. The trip advances Vietnam’s foreign policy goals under To Lam’s leadership, reinforcing the importance of the Vietnamese community abroad and the country’s economic and technological ambitions.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [4] (vietnam.vn), [5] (english.vov.vn), [6] (english.vov.vn)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (Vietnam Plus), [3] (SGGP)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (Vietnam Plus)
- Paragraph 4 – [2] (Reuters)
- Paragraph 5 – [4] (vietnam.vn), [7] (en.qdnd.vn)
- Paragraph 6 – [1] (Vietnam Plus)
Source: Noah Wire Services