Vietnam and North Korea are poised to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, a milestone that may be highlighted by an anticipated visit from Vietnam's General Secretary of the Communist Party, To Lam, to Pyongyang in October. This potential meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would represent a significant diplomatic engagement, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese leader in nearly two decades. While the two communist nations share a historical bond of solidarity, their current relationship is primarily characterized by political ties rather than active trade, largely due to international sanctions imposed on North Korea.
The planned visit by To Lam to North Korea follows his earlier trip to South Korea in August 2025, where he was the first foreign leader to be received by President Lee Jae Myung. This sequence of visits underscores Vietnam's intricate diplomatic balancing act, as it engages with both Pyongyang and Seoul, a crucial economic partner for Hanoi. South Korea, through companies like Samsung Electronics, has made substantial investments in Vietnam, exceeding US$90 billion, highlighting the economic interdependence between the two nations.
Inter-official meetings between Vietnam and North Korea have seen a resurgence, resuming in 2024 after a five-year hiatus. The historical roots of their relationship trace back to January 31, 1950. Significant past exchanges include President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Pyongyang in 1957 and Kim Jong Un's visit to Hanoi in 2019 for a summit with then-U.S. President Donald Trump. The last recorded trade data between Vietnam and North Korea dates back to 2016, showing Vietnamese exports to Pyongyang at nearly US$3 million.
While the visit of To Lam to Pyongyang is a subject of anticipation, official confirmation from both the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the North Korean Embassy in Hanoi is still pending. Should the visit materialize, it could signal a strengthening of political ties between the two nations amidst a complex global geopolitical landscape. The enduring connection between Vietnam and North Korea, forged through shared ideological roots and historical solidarity, continues to evolve, presenting opportunities for renewed dialogue and understanding in the region.