Vietnam’s President and Communist Party chief, To Lam, has embarked on a diplomatic tour of Russia and France. The itinerary begins in Moscow, where To Lam is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the Russian visit, he will travel to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and participate in an International Space Summit.

Analysts suggest that the primary objectives of this trip are twofold. First, Vietnam is looking to secure international support regarding its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Second, the government is seeking foreign investment and partnerships to bolster its long-term economic goals, specifically the ambition to transition into a high-income economy by 2045.

By engaging with both Russia and France, Vietnam is navigating a delicate diplomatic path. The country is attempting to balance its relationships with major global powers that often hold opposing positions on international issues. While the South China Sea remains a point of regional friction, the focus of this visit appears to be on economic cooperation and maintaining Vietnam's 'bamboo diplomacy' strategy—a policy of remaining flexible and avoiding alignment with any single power bloc. The visit underscores Vietnam's ongoing effort to modernize its infrastructure and industry through strategic international partnerships.