ICDN Founding President Thi Be Nguyen Attends High-Level State Events in Ottawa Marking Historic Canada-Vietnam Strategic Partnership
Canada and Vietnam Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership During Historic Ottawa State Visit
OTTAWA, ON — On September 24, 2026, diplomatic relations between Canada and Vietnam entered a historic new chapter as the two nations officially elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership. The landmark announcement took place during the official State visit of His Excellency Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, hosted in Ottawa.
Prior to the formal State Dinner, President To Lam delivered a significant policy speech in Ottawa. The event was organized by the Canada-Vietnam Interparliamentary Friendship Group under the chairmanship of Canadian Senator Yuen Pau Woo, and featured a key address by Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand.
Following the parliamentary and policy events, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, Governor General of Canada, hosted a grand State Dinner at Rideau Hall to honor the Vietnamese leader.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance was Thi Be Nguyen, Founding President of the International Cultural Diplomacy Network (ICDN). During the State Dinner, Thi Be Nguyen had the unique privilege of engaging in high-level discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney, focusing particularly on the vital importance of preserving Canada's sovereignty in an interconnected global landscape. Canada and Vietnam share borders with superpowers—the United States and China, respectively. Thus, as middle powers, we must navigate complex geopolitical landscapes by diversifying our partnerships, building economic resilience, and championing a rules-based international order to safeguard our sovereign autonomy against potential coercion.
This diplomatic alignment is deeply enriched by the vibrant and thriving community of nearly 300,000 Vietnamese-Canadians who call Canada home. Serving as a living bridge between the two nations, this diaspora plays an invaluable role in cultural diplomacy—fostering deep mutual understanding, economic dynamism, and enduring people-to-people ties that reinforce the strategic friendship between Canada and Vietnam.
The Eight Pillars of the Canada-Vietnam Strategic Partnership
The newly established Strategic Partnership is anchored by eight core pillars designed to guide bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation:
Bilateral, Regional, and Multilateral Cooperation: Strengthening political trust and coordinating efforts within international bodies such as ASEAN, APEC, the CPTPP, and the United Nations.
Trade, Investment, Finance, and Economic Cooperation: Deepening commercial ties, expanding market access, and leveraging the CPTPP framework to drive mutual prosperity.
Transportation, Supply Chain Management, and Infrastructure: Ensuring resilient, diversified maritime and aerospace transport lines, alongside seamless supply chain continuity.
Digital Transformation, Science, and Technology: Collaborating on advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, and innovation ecosystems.
Energy and Sustainable Development: Partnering on clean energy transitions, liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewables, and climate change adaptation.
Defense, Security, Maritime, and Law Enforcement: Expanding collaboration in maritime security, peacekeeping operations, defense dialogue, and combating transnational crime.
Education, Culture, and People-to-People Ties: Fostering academic research partnerships, student talent mobility, and cultural diplomacy.
Environment, Food Security, and Agriculture: Strengthening cooperation in sustainable agriculture, agri-tech innovation, and environmental protection.
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