Full Breakdown
Vietnam President Tô Lâm’s State Visit to Canada Highlights Trade Opportunities and Human-Rights Tensions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: September 24 State Visit
On September 24, President Tô Lâm arrived in Canada for a state visit with military honours, a welcome by Governor General Louise Arbour and Prime Minister Mark Carney, and a state dinner. The visit is positioned as a catalyst for deepening bilateral ties and potentially upgrading the relationship to a Strategic Partnership.
Background & Context
Canada and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1973 and signed a Comprehensive Partnership in 2017 covering political, trade, defence, education and science cooperation. Both are middle powers bordering the United States and China and have sought closer engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
Data & Statistics
- CBC reports two-way trade reached $20.6 billion in 2025.
- AsiaPacific notes two-way merchandise trade was $15.7 billion in 2024, with Canada importing $14.7 billion of goods from Vietnam and exporting roughly $1 billion.
- Vietnam’s population exceeds 100 million, making it a major manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.
Official Statements & Responses
Canadian officials framed the visit as an opportunity to diversify trade and strengthen strategic links. Prime Minister Carney’s investment summit in Toronto aims to attract foreign capital amid a U.S.–Canada trade dispute, with interest in Canadian LNG, critical minerals, aerospace and clean-technology products for the Vietnamese market.
Think-tank leader Jeff Nankivell of the Asia Pacific Foundation called Vietnam a “willing partner” seeking diversification after a 40 percent U.S. tariff on trans-shipped goods and highlighted potential cooperation on LNG, conventional energy and future nuclear projects.
Criticism & Opposition
Human-rights organisations have raised concerns about Vietnam’s domestic record. Human Rights Watch sent an open letter to Carney and Arbour warning of crackdowns on political dissidents. Amnesty International has accused Lâm’s administration of using vague penal codes to suppress freedom of expression. CBC notes that Lâm travelled to North Korea in October of the previous year and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month, underscoring Vietnam’s ties with regimes Canada has criticized on human-rights grounds.
Why It Matters
Elevating the partnership could give Canada access to Vietnam’s fast-growing economy and a gateway to ASEAN markets, as well as energy supplies amid global oil-price volatility. Stronger economic channels may also provide leverage to promote liberal values and human-rights improvements.
Timeline
- 1973 – Diplomatic relations established.
- 2017 – Comprehensive Partnership signed.
- September 24 – State visit of President Tô Lâm to Canada.
What’s Next
Canada is finalising a free-trade agreement with ASEAN and operates within the CPTPP. The Canada-Vietnam Joint Economic Committee and the prospective ASEAN-Canada FTA are expected to facilitate greater market access for Canadian exporters. Follow-up meetings will address defence, maritime security and university collaborations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Canada and Vietnam have had a comprehensive partnership since 2017,” — Julie Nguyen, chair of the Canada-ASEAN Initiatives at the York Centre for Asian Research
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total value of bilateral trade: CBC cites $20.6 billion in 2025, while AsiaPacific reports $15.7 billion in 2024. The discrepancy highlights a need for updated, consolidated trade data to assess the full economic impact of the upgraded partnership.