At 6:30 AM local time (4:30 AM Hanoi time) on October 9, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, To Lam, and the high-level delegation of our country arrived at Pyongyang International Airport, beginning a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Un.

Welcoming General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation at the airport from the North Korean side were: Alternate Member of the Political Bureau, State Affairs Commission Member, Head of the International Department – Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Song Nam; and Deputy Foreign Minister of North Korea, Im Chon In.

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From the Vietnamese side were: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to North Korea, Le Ba Vinh; representatives of officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in North Korea.

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At Pyongyang International Airport, two lines of honor guards stood along both sides of the red carpet. Alternate Member of the Political Bureau, State Affairs Commission Member, Head of the International Department – Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Song Nam welcomed General Secretary To Lam at the foot of the aircraft stairs. A North Korean young woman presented flowers to General Secretary To Lam. General Secretary To Lam walked along the red carpet and shook hands with North Korean officials who came to welcome the delegation, as well as officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in North Korea. North Korean children holding flags and flowers waved to welcome General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation.

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North Korea was one of the first countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam (since 1950). This is a traditional friendship relationship cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kim Il Sung, and generations of leaders from both countries. During the struggle for national liberation, North Korea also stood side by side and assisted Vietnam. Vietnam has always supported and stood with North Korea during difficult times.

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This state visit to North Korea by General Secretary To Lam takes place as both countries are practically commemorating the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1950-2025) and the Vietnam-North Korea Friendship Year 2025, vividly demonstrating the importance both Parties and States place on the traditional Vietnam-North Korea friendship. The visit continues to affirm Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of valuing relations with traditional friendly countries.

North Korean state media reported on June 24 that leader Kim Jong Un presided over the

Pyongyang International Airport

Pyongyang International Airport, also known as Sunan International Airport, is the main airport serving North Korea’s capital. It was originally built by Japanese forces in the 1950s and has since been expanded and modernized, most notably with the opening of a new international terminal in 2015. The airport serves as the primary gateway for foreign visitors and is a showcase for the country.

Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee

The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee is the highest decision-making body of the Communist Party of Vietnam between its national congresses. It was established in 1930, the same year as the Party itself, and has played a central role in leading the country’s revolutionary struggles and its subsequent governance. The Committee’s headquarters, often referred to as the Central Office, is located in Hanoi and is the primary institution for shaping national policy and ideology.

Workers’ Party of Korea

The Workers’ Party of Korea is the founding and ruling political party of North Korea, established in 1949 through a merger of earlier communist parties. It is the central institution of the country’s political system, based on the state ideology of Juche (self-reliance), and has been led by the Kim dynasty since its inception.

State Affairs Commission

The State Affairs Commission of the People’s Republic of China is the country’s supreme policy-making body for national security and governance. It was established in 2017 through a constitutional amendment that merged several previous commissions. The Commission is chaired by the President of China and oversees China’s foreign, military, and domestic security policies.

International Department – Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea

The International Department is a key division within the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, responsible for the party’s external relations and international outreach. Historically, it has served as the primary channel for the North Korean regime’s communication and engagement with foreign political parties and organizations. Its function is to represent the party’s ideology and policies on the global stage.

Vietnamese Embassy in North Korea

The Vietnamese Embassy in North Korea is a diplomatic mission located in Pyongyang, representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It was established to foster the historically close relationship between the two communist nations, which dates back to North Korea’s support for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The embassy continues to manage bilateral relations, trade, and diplomatic affairs between the two countries.

Vietnam-North Korea Friendship Year 2025

The Vietnam-North Korea Friendship Year 2025 is a diplomatic and cultural event celebrating the anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1950. The year will be marked by a series of exchanges, including cultural performances, art exhibitions, and political delegations, aimed at strengthening the long-standing bilateral ties. This event continues a tradition of periodic « friendship years » held to reinforce the historical partnership between Hanoi and Pyongyang.

North Korean state media

North Korean state media refers to government-controlled news outlets like the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, which serve as the primary mouthpieces for the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. Established to propagate the state’s ideology of Juche (self-reliance) and promote the leadership of the Kim dynasty, its content is characterized by unwavering loyalty to the regime and strict censorship. Its history is intrinsically linked to the founding of North Korea, as it has been used since the state’s inception to shape domestic public opinion and project a curated image to the outside world.