Official welcome ceremony held in Astana for Vietnamese Party leader
An official welcome ceremony was chaired by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevon on May 6 morning for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, who are on a three-day state visit to the Central Asian country.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Party General Secretary To Lam (R) inspect the guard of honour (Photo: VNA)
Astana (VNA) – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired an official welcome ceremony on May 6 morning for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, who are on a three-day state visit to the Central Asian country.
At the welcome ceremony, the two leaders introduced members of their respective high-level delegations. They stood on the honour platform as the national anthems of both countries are played, and then reviewed the guard of honour.
Following the ceremony, the two leaders had a restricted meeting, and led the respective high-level delegations to hold talks.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (R) welcomes Party General Secretary To Lam (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties on June 29, 1992. Since then, their traditional friendship has steadily strengthened. Bilateral trade has been growing though the volume remains modest. In 2024, two-way trade reached 800 million USD, up 99% from 2023. In the first quarter of 2025, the figure hit 146.3 million USD, an increase of 18.4% year on year.
This marks the first state visit by a key Vietnamese leader to Kazakhstan in 13 years and the first ever by a CPV General Secretary.
The visit demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent policy and strong 𝕴commitment to enhancing friendship and comprehe﷽nsive cooperation with traditional partners in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Eastern Europe, including Kazakhstan./.
Party General Secretary To Lam left Hanoi on May 5 for state visits to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, an official visit to Russia where he will attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Great Patriotic War, and then a state visit to Belarus from May 5 to 12. Kazakhstan will be the first stop for General Secretary To Lam in this European tour. The visit comes at a time when the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Kazakhstan are progressing positively. It aims to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries across various fields.
Party General Secretary To Lam praised the Vietnamese community in Kazakhstan for their integration into the local society, as well as their solidarity and efforts to preserve the national identity.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
