Major takeaways from General Secretary To Lam's trip to U.S. to attend Board of Peace's inaugural meeting
VGP – Below are major takeaways from General Secretary To Lam's trip to the U.S. to attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace from February 18-20, 2026.
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington D.C., the U.S., February 19, 2026
On multilateral aspect
1. General Secretary To Lam's trip is the first multilateral diplomatic event to implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, peace, friendship, cooperation and development adopted at the 14th National Party Congress.
With the renewed foreign policy, Viet Nam commits to make active and responsible contributions to peace, cooperation and sustainable development across the globe as well as to the settlement of common issues in the region and the world.
2. The trip reflects Viet Nam's goodwill and efforts to contribute to promoting peace in the Middle East and ensuring the fundamental rights for Palestinians, including the right to establish the State of Palestine in the Middle East.
3. The participation in the inaugural meeting indicates the international community's recognition and respect for Viet Nam's international standing and contributions to global peace and development.
On bilateral aspect
4. Mr. To Lam is the second General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee to travel to the U.S. after General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong who visited the U.S. in July 2015, four decades after the liberation of the South of Viet Nam and two decades since the normalization of the bilateral relations.
5. Mr. To Lam has first-ever face-to-face summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump since he was re-elected as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam at the 14th National Party Congress.
In addition, General Secretary To Lam also met with U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer; held phone conversation with U.S. Congressmen. Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral cooperation.
6. During the aforesaid meetings, the Vietnamese delegation briefed the U.S. side about recent developments in Viet Nam, the results of 40 years of the Doi Moi (renewal) policy initiated in 1986, and development goals through 2030 and 2045. General Secretary To Lam shared Viet Nam's major development orientations and how Viet Nam would promote relations with foreign partners, including the U.S.
7. General Secretary To Lam witnessed the signing and exchange of contracts and cooperation agreements worth US$37.2 billion between Viet Nam and the U.S.
8. This is the third overseas trip by General Secretary To Lam following the 14th National Party Congress. In early February, General Secretary To Lam paid State visit to Laos and Cambodia. More diplomatic activities with neighboring countries will be organized soon.
