North Korea welcomes Vietnam's Party leader with 21-gun salute

A 21-gun salute was fired in honor of General Secretary To Lam and the Vietnamese delegation who are in North Korea for a state visit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosts a welcome ceremony for Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam in Pyongyang, Oct. 9, 2025. Photo by VOV

North Korea was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950. The traditional friendship between the two countries has been nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kim Il Sung, and generations of leaders of both nations.

North Korea assisted Vietnam during the latter’s struggle for national liberation while Vietnam has supported the North Korea during trying times.

General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to North Korea takes place as the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the Friendship Year 2025, reflecting the importance that the two Parties and States attach to the long-standing ties between the nations.

It also demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of treasuring relations with traditional friends.

Party General Secretary To Lam is welcomed at Pyongyang International Airport on Oct. 9, 2025. Photo by VNA

The visit is an occasion for the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries to discuss and agree on strategic orientations to inherit and promote the traditional friendship between the two Parties and two countries, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the new period in accordance with relevant international regulations.