Vietnam Party chief’s US trip reflects commitment to Gaza peace efforts: foreign minister

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper after General Secretary Lam concluded the trip, which lasted from February 18 to 20, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said the visit was the first major high-level multilateral external activity by Vietnam's Party and state following the 14th National Party Congress last month.

General Secretary Lam departed Joint Base Andrews on Friday afternoon (U.S. time) after attending the meeting in Washington from Wednesday to Friday at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, founding chair of the Gaza Board of Peace.

Trung said the trip reflected Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and its intention to contribute to international peace and sustainable development.

During the meeting, General Secretary Lam exchanged views on the Middle East peace process and the Palestinian issue, reaffirming Vietnam's support for the fundamental national rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to establish a state, Trung said.

Vietnam would study specific measures to implement peace plans in three main areas: stabilizing the situation in Gaza and ensuring the implementation of a ceasefire; supporting long-term reconstruction, including restoring essential living conditions and infrastructure; and strengthening governance capacity for Palestinians in Gaza.

Vietnam could consider contributing to U.N. peacekeeping activities, with its military and police forces participating in maintaining security and social order or providing training for local police, Trung said. 

The country could also join humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, drawing on its post-war recovery experience, he added.

On the sidelines of the meeting, General Secretary Lam held talks with senior leaders from several countries, including Middle Eastern nations.

In Washington, the Vietnamese Party chief met President Trump, received U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, held phone calls with U.S. lawmakers, and met members of the Vietnamese community in the United States. 

Politburo members and ministers accompanying him also met U.S. counterparts.

During the meetings, Lam briefed U.S. officials on Vietnam's socio-economic development, including nearly 40 years of economic reforms and the implementation of goals set at the 13th National Party Congress, with development targets for 2030 and 2045, Trung said. 

He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to advancing ties with the United States in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership framework.

Before concluding the visit on Friday, General Secretary Lam met Kurt M. Campbell, former U.S. deputy secretary of state. 

The top Vietnamese official urged Campbell to continue serving as a bridge between Vietnam and the United States, including the business community and international partners, and to help promote policy dialogue and strategic analysis on global economic and technological trends.

Campbell said U.S. businesses and partners valued Vietnam's investment environment and viewed the country as a strategic destination in global supply chains and innovation networks, expressing readiness to support stronger economic and investment ties, Trung added.