Vietnam and Canada Upgrade Relations to Strategic Partnership

In Ottawa on Sept. 24, Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, concluding that the long-standing friendship now qualifies for a Strategic Partnership. Both sides agreed to draft an agenda and action plan to operationalise the new framework, expanding high-level delegations, parliamentary ties and regular foreign-ministry dialogues. Economic cooperation will focus on trade, investment, supply-chain integration and new sectors such as infrastructure, transport and direct air routes.

The leaders also pledged joint work on science, digital transformation, AI, clean energy, LNG, renewable and peaceful nuclear projects, as well as health, agriculture and cultural exchanges. Defence and security collaboration will be deepened, including maritime security, cybersecurity and participation in the Vietnam International Defense Expo, while both countries reaffirmed support for multilateralism, ASEAN centrality and peaceful resolution of disputes in the East Sea.