Vietnam and Canada elevate bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, expanding cooperation in trade, investment, AI, energy, defence, supply chains, education and connectivity, including new direct-flight opportunities.
Vietnam and Canada have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, marking a new phase in cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was reached during Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit to Canada.
To Lam held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa, where the two leaders discussed expanding economic and strategic cooperation. They agreed to develop a specific agenda and action plan to implement the new Strategic Partnership framework.
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The upgraded partnership covers a broad range of areas, including trade and investment, transportation, supply chains, digital and emerging technologies, energy security, environmental cooperation, food security and agri-food. Defence, aerospace, maritime security, education and people-to-people ties are also included in the framework.
Economic cooperation is a major component of the new partnership. During their meeting, Carney and To Lam discussed opportunities to expand trade and investment in sectors such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, digital technology, transportation and agri-food. Canada also highlighted its potential role as an energy partner, including opportunities for cooperation in liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The two countries also announced measures to improve connectivity. Canada said an expanded air transport agreement with Vietnam will allow direct flights between the two countries for the first time. The agreement permits up to 14 weekly passenger-combination flights for each country and up to seven weekly all-cargo flights. It also provides fifth-freedom rights for eligible cargo services.
Canada reported that two-way merchandise trade with Vietnam reached $20.6 billion in 2025, while Canadian merchandise exports to Vietnam exceeded $1.3 billion, an increase of 30% from the previous year. Vietnam is also described by Canada as one of its largest and fastest-growing air markets in Asia.
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The Strategic Partnership builds on the countries’ existing Comprehensive Partnership established in 2017. Both governments have said the upgraded framework is intended to support deeper and more sustained cooperation across economic, technological, security and social sectors.
To Lam’s September 24-25 state visit is the first visit to Canada by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in more than five decades, according to Canadian officials. The new partnership provides a framework for Vietnam and Canada to expand engagement across the Indo-Pacific and bilateral sectors.