History Professor Nguyễn Thị Liên Hằng from the New York-based Columbia University. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Thanh Tuấn

NEW YORK — The development trend of the Việt Nam – United Nations relations will be further consolidated following Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm’s trip to attend the UN Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), and to hold working sessions in the US, a Vietnamese-American professor has said.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on this occasion, History Professor Nguyễn Thị Liên Hằng from the New York-based Columbia University perceived that the trip, set to begin on Saturday, holds great significance amid Việt Nam’s growing relations with the UN and the US. It takes place ahead of the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam’s UN membership, 30 years since the normalisation of the country's ties with the US in 1995 and, especially, amid the first anniversary of the elevation of the two countries’ relationship to the highest level – comprehensive strategic partnership (2023).

Việt Nam is an active member that is making more and more contributions to the UN, she said, noting the trip will once again demonstrate it as a dynamic and active country with increasing development, regardless of at regional or global level.

Expressing her delight that the top leader of Việt Nam will visit Columbia University, Hằng said cultural-educational diplomacy is a consistent part of the country’s foreign policy.

Tertiary education plays an important role in the Việt Nam-US partnership over the last 30 years and also forms one of the factors ensuring close-knit links in their comprehensive strategic partnership, she went on.

The professor applauded the new relations between Columbia University, one of the leading of its kind in the US, and the Vietnamese Government, including in promoting a centre of Vietnamese studies which gives insights into the Southeast Asian nation’s language, history, politics and economy, thereby helping reinforce bilateral connections. — VNS