Delegates extend congratulations to the Ambassador and staff of the DPRK Embassy in Việt Nam on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (October 10, 1945 – October 10, 2025). VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

At the invitation of Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee Tô Lâm will pay a State visit to the DPRK and attend the celebration marking the 80th founding anniversary of the WPK from October 9–11.

Vietnam News Agency spoke with the Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK, Lê Bá Vinh, about the significance of the visit in fostering traditional friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

What is the significance of General Secretary Tô Lâm’s State visit to the DPRK and his attendance at the WPK’s 80th founding anniversary celebration?

On January 31, 1950, the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam (now the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam) and the DPRK officially established diplomatic relations.

Since then, the traditional friendship between the two countries has always been valued by both Parties, States and peoples, and has been continuously strengthened and developed.

The two have long supported and assisted each other in their respective struggles for national liberation and in the cause of socialist building.

Building on this solid foundation, the two countries have maintained regular exchanges and high-level visits in recent years, with stronger political trust and increasingly substantive cooperation outcomes.

Following the highly successful official friendship visit to Việt Nam by WPK General Secretary and DPRK President Kim Jong Un, General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit to the DPRK once again demonstrates the deep and enduring friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples.

The visit also provides an opportunity for Việt Nam to reaffirm its consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, being a trusted friend and responsible partner of the international community.

This visit is particularly meaningful as it takes place at a pivotal time for both Parties and countries, as well as for bilateral relations.

In 2025, Việt Nam is celebrating major national milestones: the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the 80th National Day (September 2).

The country is striving to fulfil the goals set out in the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution, conducting a review of 40 years of 'Đổi mới' (Renewal) and preparing for the 14th National Party Congress.

Meanwhile, the DPRK is preparing for the 80th founding anniversary of the WPK (October 10, 1945 – October 10, 2025), accelerating the implementation of the goals set by its 8th Party Congress and making preparations for the 9th Party Congress.

Therefore, this visit will mark an important milestone in the development of each nation and in the flourishing traditional friendship between Việt Nam and the DPRK.

During the visit, top leaders of both Parties and States will engage in in-depth discussions to outline key orientations and major measures to enhance the effectiveness and substance of bilateral cooperation, in line with the interests and aspirations of the two peoples, and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Could you review the 75-year history of Việt Nam–DPRK relations and the current state of cooperation between the two countries?

The DPRK was one of the first three countries, after China and the Soviet Union, to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam, shortly after President Hồ Chí Minh’s declaration on January 14, 1950, expressing Việt Nam’s desire to establish relations with other nations.

In 1955, Việt Nam opened its Embassy in Pyongyang, and the DPRK established its Embassy in Hà Nội.

The DPRK was also among the earliest countries to recognise and establish ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations with the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Việt Nam. It allowed Việt Nam to set up a permanent representative office of the National Front for the Liberation of South Việt Nam in Pyongyang in 1966 and an ambassadorial-level office in 1969, while covering all operational expenses until the end of 1975.

Since the end of the war, the Vietnamese people have extended support to the DPRK through multiple shipments of tens of thousands of tonnes of rice.

Over the decades, the two countries have maintained a rich tradition of high-level exchanges and visits. In 1957, President Hồ Chí Minh paid an official friendship visit to the DPRK, followed by the official friendship visit to Việt Nam by DPRK founder Chairman Kim Il Sung in 1958. Prime Minister Phạm Văn Đồng visited the DPRK in 1961, and Chairman Kim Il Sung made an unofficial visit to Việt Nam in 1964.

In 1988, State Council Chairman Võ Chí Công paid an official visit to the DPRK, while President Trần Đức Lương made an official visit in 2002. This was followed by the official friendship visit to the DPRK by CPV General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh in 2007, and the official friendship visit to Việt Nam by Chairman Kim Jong Un in 2019. Continuing this long-standing tradition, General Secretary Tô Lâm will now pay a State visit to the DPRK.

Throughout these visits, both sides have agreed to enhance high-level contacts, expand exchanges across Party, State and people-to-people channels, and share experiences in areas of mutual interest.

Cooperation in culture, sports and people-to-people exchange has been strengthened, deepening mutual understanding and promoting the longstanding friendship between the peoples of Việt Nam and the DPRK.

Agricultural cooperation has emerged as a highlight, with both sides maintaining practical exchanges to share expertise and build on their respective strengths.

With these achievements, I firmly believe that the Việt Nam–DPRK traditional friendship will continue to be preserved, inherited and further promoted, contributing effectively to the development of both nations and elevating bilateral ties to new heights for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. — VNS