Party General Secretary To Lam’s four-nation visit: Sowing new seeds on historic grounds of affection

General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly arrived in Moscow, starting an official visit to Russia and attending the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The overarching message of General Secretary To Lam and his spouse’s visit was Vietnam’s deep respect, sincere affection, and enduring loyalty toward the friendly nations of the former Soviet Union. More than that, the visit reflected a spirit of breakthrough, elevation, and renewal in Vietnam’s relations with these countries.**

As Vietnam enters a new era of national development, standing shoulder to shoulder with trusted partners is more important than ever. "A tree stands firm thanks to its roots; a person is steadfast thanks to his friends," General Secretary To Lam remarked, quoting a Kazakh proverb during his policy speech at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan.

The State visits to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Belarus, the official visit to the Russian Federation, and attendance at the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War took place against the backdrop of peace, cooperation, and development continuing to be the prevailing global trends, despite ongoing international fluctuations.

In this context, General Secretary To Lam’s four-nation visit holds great significance, contributing to the elevation of bilateral relations and the promotion of comprehensive cooperation with traditional friends across all fields. It stands out as a key milestone in the practical implementation of Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, diversification, and proactive, effective international integration, as outlined by the 13th National Party Congress.

Atmosphere of the “Victory Day” celebration

The official visit to the Russian Federation by General Secretary To Lam took place in the atmosphere of the “Victory Day” celebration and carried special significance. It was his first visit in the new role, coinciding with important historical milestones for both countries: Russia commemorated the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War; Vietnam marked the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2); and the two nations jointly celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950–2025).

Party General Secretary To Lam attends military parade celebrating Victory of Great Patriotic War in Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

The visit took place at a historic moment and was therefore deeply symbolic—demonstrating the enduring foundation of the Vietnam–Russia relationship: honoring the past, cultivating the present, and building toward the future.

Over the past 75 years, the relationship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union, and now the Russian Federation, has remained steadfast, growing deeper and more comprehensive across all fields. This time-tested traditional friendship continues to thrive. Both Vietnam and Russia are committed to strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, enhancing political trust, promoting more substantive and effective economic and trade cooperation, and fostering closer people-to-people ties.

Party General Secretary To Lam and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, on May 10, 2025. (Photo: Kremlin.ru)

With strong foundations and shared determination, during this visit, General Secretary To Lam and the top leaders of the Russian Federation exchanged strategic orientations for the long-term development of bilateral relations—not only for the next 5 to 10 years but with a vision extending further into the future. The two sides committed to elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights and strengthening the cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and major political parties in Russia.

The Sacred Word: "Peace"

Of particular significance was General Secretary To Lam’s participation in the 80th Anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War. His presence reflected Vietnam’s profound respect and deep appreciation for the immense contributions and sacrifices of the former Soviet Union and today’s Russian Federation in the historic victory over fascism.

In 1941, under the guidance of Uncle Ho Chi Minh, seven Vietnamese volunteer soldiers joined the Red Army in the defense of Moscow, and five of them heroically laid down their lives.

For Vietnam, the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War served as a powerful source of encouragement and inspiration. It was also a crucial foundation for the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, to rise up in a general uprising and successfully seize power.

The novel “How the Steel Was Tempered” by writer Nikolai A. Ostrovsky, featuring the image of Red Army soldier Pavel, ignited the unyielding fighting spirit and aspiration for peace among countless Vietnamese fighters. It embodied the spirit: “All my life, all my strength, I have devoted to the noblest cause in the world—the cause of the struggle for the liberation of mankind.”

On this solemn occasion, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense sent troops to join the commemorative parade—marking the first time the Vietnam People’s Army has ever participated in a military parade abroad. The image of Vietnamese soldiers marching in Russia, singing “Katyusha”—a traditional song of the Red Army during wartime training—left a powerful and lasting impression on the Russian people.

New heights, new breeze

During General Secretary To Lam’s first state visit to the two Central Asian countries, high-level exchanges took place in an atmosphere of closeness, friendship, and warmth. This stems from Vietnam’s consistent and enduring affection for Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus—longstanding friends who have stood by Vietnam through its struggle for independence and continue to support its development today.

Party General Secretary To Lam and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, on May 6, 2025 . (Photo; Nguyen Hong)

On the foundation of time-honored friendship, the top Vietnamese leader and leaders of these countries expressed confidence and determination to elevate cooperation and write new chapters for a brighter future. They aspire to achieve “four more” in the relationship—more sustainable, more effective, more substantial and more mutually beneficial—in line with the level of political trust, cooperation potential, and the shared aspirations of the peoples of Vietnam and its partner nations.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally welcomed General Secretary To Lam and his spouse at the airport and respectfully conferred upon him the First-Class Dostyk (Friendship) Medal—a prestigious honour bestowed by the State and people of Kazakhstan.

On this occasion, the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, with a shared vision to see the Vietnam–Kazakhstan relationship “soar like the wings of an eagle over the Saryarka steppe, becoming a bridge for cooperation between Southeast Asia and Central Asia—bringing practical benefits to the peoples of both countries and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world,” as General Secretary To Lam stated in his policy speech at the Academy of Public Administration.

In an interview with the Vietnamese press regarding the visit of General Secretary To Lam, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev highlighted the meaningful and enduring connections between the two countries—connections that are far from coincidental. He recalled that the first General Director of the Vietsovpetro Joint Venture, established in 1981 with the support of the Soviet Union, was Azerbaijani national Jalal Mamedov; that Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev had written the *Vietnam Suite* for a Soviet–Vietnamese cooperative documentary; and that President Ho Chi Minh of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam visited the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in 1959.

Party General Secretary To Lam and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Baku, on May 7, 2025. (Photo: Van Hieu)

President Ilham Aliyev affirmed that General Secretary To Lam’s visit was a historic event, serving as a significant driving force to enhance cooperation and open new horizons for the development of bilateral relations based on friendship and mutual respect.

Bilateral relations between Vietnam and Belarus trace their roots back to the Soviet era, with significant developments following President Ho Chi Minh’s visits to Belarus in 1957 and 1961. During Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification, the Belarusian people consistently provided with strong and practical support. In recent years, the two countries have continued to maintain and develop their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, marked by increasing political trust and collaboration across various fields, including national defense and security, trade and economy, culture, education, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

Building on this solid foundation, the General Secretary’s visit to Belarus provides fresh momentum to further strengthen and expand bilateral relations, while also setting directions to deepen this longstanding and promising partnership.

Party General Secretary To Lam meets with a Belarusian veteran with outstanding contributions to Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

On his first state visits to Central Asia, the Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that new levels of cooperation will inject fresh vitality into economic relations between Vietnam and the countries of the region.

Vietnam and the two Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus—possess substantial untapped potential for economic cooperation, especially in promising areas such as trade, investment, fundamental science, energy, high technology, and artificial intelligence.

At each stop, General Secretary To Lam enthusiastically shared Vietnam’s vision for development and its favorable investment environment. The S-shaped nation is increasingly asserting its role as a vital link in global value chains and in the evolving structure of international investment. The agreements signed during the trip stand as a testament to the mutual determination to deepen and renew bilateral economic ties.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and General Secretary To Lam before holding talks in Minsk, on May 12, 2025. (Photo: Office of the President of Belarus)

The journey of General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, made during the historic and meaningful days of May for Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Vietnam alike, continues to promote the image of a faithful and responsible Vietnam—contributing to peace and sustainable development in the new era.

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