A Momentous State Visit to Kazakhstan
State visit concludes as party leader bids farewell to Kazakhstan
After a whirlwind three-day trip, General Secretary Tô Lâm of the Vietnamese Communist Party bid farewell to Kazakhstan, leaving a trail of renewed diplomatic ties and a promise of future collaboration. The visit, which took place from May 5 to 7, 2025, was an historic first for a Vietnamese Party leader, making it the most significant delegation exchange between the two nations since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
A Diverse Agenda
General Secretary Tô Lâm packed his schedule during the trip, immersing himself in a variety of activities:- Engaging with Kazakh Leaders: He held high-level meetings with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and discussed regional and international issues in-depth. He also met with Chairman of the Senate Maulen Ashimbayev, Speaker of the Mazhilis Yerlan Koshanov (who is also the Chairman of the Amanat Party), and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov[1][4].- Establishing a Strategic Partnership: The General Secretary was present for the handover of cooperation documents and the adoption of a joint statement on establishing the Vietnam-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership[1][4].- Cultural Celebrations and Military Honors: He joined a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Victory over Fascism and attended a Vietnam-Kazakhstan friendship concert[1][3].- Business Opportunities and Academic Discussions: Participating in a Vietnam-Kazakhstan business roundtable and delivering a policy speech at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan, he engaged with local enterprises and furthered economic and educational ties[1][4].- Exploring Local Culture: Visiting the Ethno-Village of Kazakhstan provided a peek into the country's rich history, traditions, and crafts[3].
Accomplishments and Acknowledgements
The visit yielded numerous positive outcomes:- Elevating Bilateral Relations: The establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Kazakhstan highlighted the growing political trust and prospect of substantial cooperation across various sectors[2][5].- Increased Trade and Investment: Bilateral trade between the two countries nearly doubled, with trade turnover boasting figures of over $1 billion by 2023-2024[5]. Significant investment moves included Vietnam's Sovico Group's planned acquisition of Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air, which will increase regional connectivity[5].- Cultural Exchange: The visit facilitated cultural exchange and appreciation through events like the friendship concert and the exploration of Kazakhstan's Ethno-Village[3][4].
A New Chapter in the Partnership
Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and his spouse concluded a three-day state visit to Kazakhstan. - VNA/VNS Photo
As both nations look toward the future, opportunities for growth and collaboration are abundant:- Expanding Trade and Investment: The potential for further cooperation in trade and investment is substantial, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, real estate, food, and tourism[5].- Enhancing Regional Connectivity: The acquisition of Qazaq Air by Vietnam's Sovico Group is expected to open new flight routes connecting Vietnam, Central Asia, and Europe[5].- Advancing Strategic Cooperation: The Strategic Partnership will foster deeper collaboration in political, economic, cultural, and security spheres, aligning with both nations' development priorities[2][5].
- In the realm of politics, the General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, Tô Lâm, engaged in deeply rooted discussions on war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the state visit.
- As part of the diverse agenda, Tô Lâm also met with the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev, the Speaker of the Mazhilis, Yerlan Koshanov, and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, all while focusing on establishing a collaborative approach in various sectors.
- The visit's concluding handover marked the birth of a Vietnam-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership, a significant step towards achieving a closer relationship between the two nations.
- Another milestone achieved was the improvement in economic ties, with the promise of increased trade and investment, as indicated by the potential strategy in sectors such as oil and gas, real estate, food, and tourism.
- The Sovico Group's planned acquisition of Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air is expected to contribute to enhancing regional connectivity, opening new flight routes that span Vietnam, Central Asia, and Europe.
- The visit lead to a newfound cultural exchange and appreciation, as demonstrated through events such as the friendship concert and exploration of Ethno-Village, signifying a promising future for politics, business, and general news in the ongoing partnership between Vietnam and Kazakhstan.
