HANOI — Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam left Hanoi on Monday for a six-day diplomatic tour of Russia and France, combining high-level bilateral meetings with participation in a major international space gathering in Paris.

The September 7–12 trip comes as Vietnam seeks to strengthen relationships with major powers while protecting its economic interests amid growing uncertainty in global trade. To Lam is scheduled to make a state visit to Russia, an official visit to France and attend the International Space Summit in Paris.

Russia Is the First Stop

To Lam’s journey begins in Russia, where he is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin.

Vietnam and Russia maintain a comprehensive strategic partnership, with longstanding cooperation in defense, energy and other sectors. Russian companies have also been involved in Vietnam’s energy projects, including cooperation connected to nuclear power and offshore oil and gas activities.

The visit provides Hanoi with an opportunity to reinforce political trust while discussing practical economic and strategic cooperation.

Vietnam has traditionally relied heavily on Russian military equipment, although Hanoi has increasingly sought to diversify its defense relationships and procurement sources.

France Visit Adds a European Dimension

After Russia, To Lam will travel to France for an official visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The French leg of the trip is expected to focus on expanding economic, infrastructure, defense and technology cooperation.

French companies have shown interest in Vietnamese infrastructure opportunities, including railway and airport projects, while both countries have been exploring wider cooperation in advanced industries.

For Vietnam, deeper engagement with France also provides a channel for strengthening its broader relationship with Europe.

Space Summit Brings Technology Into Focus

A major feature of the France visit will be To Lam’s participation in the International Space Summit in Paris on September 9–10.

The gathering comes at a time when governments and private companies are increasingly treating space technology as an important component of economic development, communications, scientific research and national security.

Vietnam has been seeking greater international cooperation in the space sector, including partnerships with European companies.

Airbus Defence and Space signed a space-cooperation declaration with Vietnam during Macron’s visit to the country last year, according to Reuters.

Vietnam Seeks More International Investment

The diplomatic tour also has a strong economic dimension.

Vietnam’s export-oriented economy is highly integrated into global supply chains, making international trade conditions particularly important for its growth.

Hanoi is therefore attempting to broaden its economic partnerships and attract additional investment in areas such as infrastructure, technology, energy and manufacturing.

Vietnamese officials have described the Russia-France trip as an opportunity to turn existing cooperation commitments into more concrete programs and projects.

Balancing Relationships With Major Powers

Vietnam’s foreign policy traditionally emphasizes maintaining relationships with multiple major powers rather than becoming overly dependent on one.

That strategy is becoming increasingly important as competition between the United States and China affects trade, technology and security across Asia.

Vietnam has simultaneously strengthened ties with countries including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Europe, Russia and other partners.

To Lam’s intensive international schedule reflects this approach.

A Broader September Diplomatic Agenda

The Russia-France journey is only the beginning of a much wider month of international diplomacy for Vietnam’s leader.

Reuters previously reported that To Lam is also expected to travel to the United States later in September, where he is scheduled to participate in the high-level United Nations General Assembly session. A Canada visit is expected to follow.

The planned schedule would give Vietnam an unusually broad diplomatic presence across Europe and North America within a single month.

Trade Relations With Washington Remain Important

Vietnam’s planned U.S. visit comes against the background of complicated trade relations.

Vietnam has become an important manufacturing and export hub, particularly for companies seeking alternatives within Asian supply chains.

At the same time, Washington has been pushing to address trade imbalances, creating uncertainty for Vietnamese exporters.

A direct diplomatic engagement with U.S. officials could therefore become important for Hanoi as it attempts to preserve market access while continuing to attract international manufacturers.

Russia Offers Strategic and Energy Links

The Russia portion of the trip serves a different purpose.

Moscow remains an important historical partner for Vietnam, particularly in defense and energy.

The two countries also have longstanding political ties dating back decades.

For Hanoi, maintaining those relationships provides another element of strategic diversification while it simultaneously expands cooperation with Western and Asian partners.

France Offers Access to European Technology

The French relationship provides Vietnam with opportunities in areas that extend beyond traditional trade.

Infrastructure, aerospace, defense, transportation and advanced technology are all potential areas for expanded cooperation.

French companies are also looking toward Vietnam as the country continues to develop transport networks and industrial capacity.

The combination of diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities makes the Paris visit particularly important for Hanoi’s long-term economic strategy.

Space Cooperation Could Become a New Growth Area

The Paris summit could also help Vietnam increase its role in the international space economy.

Satellite technology can support communications, environmental monitoring, agriculture, disaster management and national planning.

For a rapidly developing economy such as Vietnam, stronger access to space-related technology could support multiple civilian applications.

Participation in a major international space gathering also allows Vietnam to engage directly with governments and companies involved in the sector.

Vietnam Positions Itself for a More Uncertain World

To Lam’s latest journey illustrates Vietnam’s attempt to remain diplomatically flexible while expanding economic opportunities.

Rather than choosing between competing geopolitical blocs, Hanoi is pursuing simultaneous engagement with Russia, France, the United States and other major partners.

That strategy is particularly valuable for an export-driven country whose economic performance depends heavily on stable international trade.

A High-Stakes Diplomatic Month

The September tour could ultimately become one of the most important periods of international engagement for To Lam since taking office.

The immediate focus will be on Russia and France, but the broader diplomatic agenda extends toward the United States, the United Nations and Canada later this month.

With energy, defense, infrastructure, technology, trade and space cooperation all on the agenda, Vietnam is using an unusually busy diplomatic calendar to strengthen its position among competing global powers.

For Hanoi, the objective is not simply to secure new agreements. It is to build a wider network of strategic and economic partnerships capable of supporting Vietnam’s development as global trade and geopolitical competition become increasingly uncertain.