Vietnam's top leader to attend APEC summit in China

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam will attend the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, where he is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks.

The trip, running from Nov. 17 to 20, is at the invitation of Chinese Communist Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping.

The Vietnamese leader will be accompanied by his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since its founding in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has established itself as the region's premier economic cooperation mechanism.

It continues to spearhead efforts promoting economic, trade, and investment liberalization on both regional and global scales. These initiatives have contributed to economic growth, peace, stability, and development across the Asia-Pacific.

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

APEC focuses on three primary pillars: trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, and economic and technical cooperation. This final pillar emphasizes capacity building alongside equitable, sustainable development.

The forum's 21 member economies represent approximately 37% of the global population, 62% of world GDP, and 48% of global trade. Vietnam joined the bloc in 1998.

APEC members are vital to Vietnam's economy, bringing together 15 of the nation's 30 strategic and comprehensive partners.

These economies account for more than 77% of Vietnam's overall trade, nearly 81% of its foreign direct investment, and over 85% of its tourism.

Of the 19 free trade agreements (FTAs) Vietnam has either implemented or is currently negotiating, 13 involve APEC members. Seventeen of the forum's 21 members are Vietnam's FTA partners.

China, the summit's host nation, holds deep historical ties with Vietnam. China became the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, on Jan. 18, 1950.

The two nations formed a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2008. In 2023, they issued a joint statement elevating this partnership to build a "Vietnam-China community with a shared future" carrying strategic significance.

During To Lam's state visit to China in April, both sides released another joint statement pledging to further deepen this partnership in the new era.

Economic ties between the two nations remain robust. In 2025, China stood as Vietnam's largest trading partner while Vietnam was China's top trading partner within ASEAN and its fourth-largest globally.

Chinese investment in Vietnam is also substantial. As of late October 2026, China had over 7,487 active projects in Vietnam with total registered capital exceeding $38.15 billion. This places China sixth out of 154 countries and territories investing in the nation.

Tourism figures further highlight this close relationship. Vietnam welcomed 5.28 million Chinese visitors in 2025, a 41.3% year-on-year increase. These visitors accounted for a quarter of all international arrivals, making China the largest source market for foreign tourists in Vietnam.