Vietnam-Canada Ties Strengthen Amid Indo-Pacific Strategy

Canada and Vietnam are entering a new phase of cooperation as both countries share increasingly clear interests in diversifying markets, strengthening economic connectivity, and building supply chains resilient to global disruptions.

General Secretary and President To Lam will pay a state visit to Canada from September 24, 2026. Governor General Louise Arbour considers Vietnam an important partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the growing cooperation between the two countries in trade, economy, energy security, and climate change response.

This marks the first time Canada has welcomed a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973. While trade in goods was a prominent foundation of bilateral economic relations in the early years, the scope for cooperation has now expanded considerably.

Canada is pursuing a strategy of trade diversification in the Indo-Pacific, while Vietnam continues to deepen its integration into regional trade and production networks. The CPTPP negotiations for a Canada-ASEAN FTA, and growing demand for clean energy, critical minerals, AI, and new technologies are creating new areas of convergence between the two economies.