Party leader, president To Lam to visit US, Cuba

During his time in the U.S., To Lam and his spouse will attend the U.N. Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York. His state visit to Cuba follows an invitation from First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his spouse, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The U.N. Summit of the Future, taking place in New York from Sept. 22 to 23, aims to bolster the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other goals related to the climate and unifying solutions for global challenges.

In a statement on Sept. 12, To Lam requested for the summit to raise discussions on transformative solutions, including scientific, technological and innovation transformation, among others.

Vietnam and the U.S. recently celebrated their one-year anniversary of upgrading ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The U.S. is Vietnam's second largest commercial partner. Last year, trade turnover between the two countries reached $111 billion, according to the Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam and Cuba established diplomatic relations in December 1960. Cuba had helped Vietnam during wartime, and Vietnam supported Cuba in agriculture. Cuba imports between 300,000-400,000 tons of rice per year from Vietnam.