Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to welcome Vietnam’s General Secretary and President Tô Lâm at Parliament Hill.
- The leaders are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting following a formal welcome ceremony.
- Canada and Vietnam have a Comprehensive Partnership covering trade, investment, security, education, technology and other areas.
Canada Welcomes Vietnam President as Carney Holds Ottawa Meeting
Prime Minister Mark Carney is welcoming Vietnam’s General Secretary and President Tô Lâm in Ottawa on September 24, with the visit including a formal welcome ceremony and a bilateral meeting at Parliament Hill.
According to the official schedule released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney is scheduled to greet Tô Lâm at 11:10 a.m. at the West Block of Parliament Hill. A welcome ceremony is scheduled for 11:15 a.m., followed by a meeting between the two leaders at 11:20 a.m.
Tô Lâm’s Visit to Parliament Hill
The official schedule identifies Tô Lâm as both the General Secretary and President of Vietnam. The visit includes formal diplomatic engagements at Parliament Hill, with media access arranged for the welcome ceremony and a pooled photo opportunity at the beginning of the leaders’ meeting.
A dinner hosted by the Governor General is also scheduled for the evening to welcome Tô Lâm. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will include remarks by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President.
Canada and Vietnam Maintain a Comprehensive Partnership
Canada and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1973 and formally created a Comprehensive Partnership in 2017.
According to Global Affairs Canada, the partnership covers political and diplomatic cooperation, trade and investment, development cooperation, defence and security, cultural and academic exchanges, science and technology, innovation and people-to-people ties.
Vietnam is also Canada's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to Global Affairs Canada.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Canada and Vietnam have been working to expand their economic relationship, particularly as Canada seeks to diversify its trade partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.
In a July 2026 conversation, Prime Minister Carney and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng discussed expanding trade and investment in areas including aerospace, transportation and agri-food.
The two leaders also discussed energy cooperation, including liquefied natural gas, as well as opportunities connected to Vietnam’s role as chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission in 2026.
Canada-ASEAN Trade Discussions
Canada and Vietnam have also discussed progress toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement.
During the July conversation, Carney and Lê Minh Hưng discussed the priority of concluding negotiations toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement this year and strengthening economic ties between Canada and Southeast Asia.
Vietnam's role within ASEAN and the CPTPP gives the country an important position in Canada's broader trade diversification efforts.
What Happens During the Ottawa Visit
The September 24 schedule provides details about the planned events but does not specify the outcome of the bilateral meeting.
The meeting provides an opportunity for the Canadian and Vietnamese governments to discuss their bilateral relationship and areas of cooperation. Any new agreements, announcements or commitments will depend on official statements released following the meeting.
The visit comes as Canada continues to deepen relationships with partners across the Indo-Pacific and diversify its international economic and diplomatic connections.