Strengthening Ties: Biden's Strategic Diplomacy with Vietnam

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet Vietnam's President and Communist Party Chief To Lam on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting aims to further strategic relations with Vietnam to counter China and Russia, alongside discussions on semiconductors, minerals, and diplomatic ties.

U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Vietnam's President and Communist Party Chief To Lam on Wednesday, according to a White House statement on Sunday. The meeting is scheduled on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Biden aims to fortify relations with the strategic Southeast Asian nation and manufacturing hub to counterbalance China and Russia, both of which maintain ties with Vietnam. During Biden's visit to Vietnam last September, deals were secured on semiconductors and minerals, alongside an upgrade in Hanoi's diplomatic status to match that of China and Russia.

This will be To Lam's first U.S. visit since assuming leadership of the party in early August. Lam is also slated to speak at the U.N. event and engage with representatives from major U.S. firms, including Google and Meta. Ahead of Lam's trip, Vietnam released some prominent activists from prison, sources revealed to Reuters.

Releases include Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, imprisoned for subversion since 2010, and environmental activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong, imprisoned for tax fraud since last year. Lam's itinerary also encompasses a visit to Cuba, a longstanding Communist ally of Vietnam.

(With inputs from agencies.)