A welcome ceremony held for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm at Pyongyang International Airport on early October 9 morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

PYONGYANG — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm and a high-ranking delegation of Việt Nam arrived at Pyongyang International Airport on October 9 morning, beginning a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the invitation of General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong Un.

DPRK officials welcoming the Vietnamese leader and delegation at the airport included alternate member of the Politburo, member of the State Affairs Commission and Director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee Kim Song Nam, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Im Chon In.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Lê Bá Vinh and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy were also present to welcome General Secretary Tô Lâm and his entourage.

The DPRK was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Việt Nam, in 1950. Their traditional friendship has been nurtured by President Hồ Chí Minh, President Kim Il Sung, and generations of the two countries’ leaders. The DPRK stood side by side and assisted Việt Nam during the latter’s struggle for national liberation while Việt Nam has always supported the DPRK during trying times.

Children of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea welcome General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm at Pyongyang International Airport. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

General Secretary Tô Lâm’s state visit to the DPRK takes place as the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and their Friendship Year 2025, vividly reflecting the importance that the two Parties and States attach to the long-standing ties between the nations. It also demonstrates Việt Nam’s consistent foreign policy of treasuring relations with the countries it shares traditional friendship with.

The visit is an important opportunity for the top leaders of both Parties and States to exchange views and agree on strategic orientations to further inherit and promote the traditional friendship, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Minh Vũ.

Furthermore, as an active and responsible member of the international community, through this visit, Việt Nam continues to demonstrate its consistent support for peace, stability and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, in the region and in the world. — VNA/VNS

A welcome ceremony was held at Pyongyang International Airport for Party chief Tô Lâm. — VNA/VNS Photo

Pyongyang children waved the flags of Việt Nam and the DPRK to welcome General Secretary Tô Lâm on the state visit. — VNA/VNS Photo

Alternate member of the Politburo, member of the State Affairs Commission and Director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee Kim Song Nam (left) greeted General Secretary Tô Lâm. — VNA/VNS Photo