The agreement was reached during talks on September 24, 2026, within the framework of Party General Secretary and President To Lam's state visit to Canada.

At the meeting, PM Mark Carney warmly welcomed the Vietnamese top leader and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on their state visit to Canada, emphasizing that the visit holds historic significance and provides fresh impetus to propel bilateral ties into a deeper and more substantive stage of development. He lauded Vietnam's socio-economic achievements, its rising stature, and its active contributions to the international community, affirming that Vietnam is a key partner for Canada in pushing up  relations with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region.

To Lam thanked the government and people of Canada for their warm and respectful reception, conveyed regards and best wishes from Prime Minister Le Minh Hung to Prime Minister Mark Carney, and expressed hope to welcome the Canadian PM  to Vietnam soon.

He congratulated Canada on its major  achievements in economic development, market diversification, and partner expansion, which have helped raise its international standing. Sharing Vietnam's strategic objectives for its new era of development, Party and State leader To Lam underscored that Vietnam regards Canada as a trusted friend and partner sharing numerous strategic interests and visions.
The two leaders reviewed the key achievements in Vietnam-Canada relations over more than 50 years of strengthening friendship and nearly a decade of implementing the Comprehensive Partnership framework. Political trust and mutual understanding have been continuously strengthened, while economics, trade, and investment have become core pillars of bilateral ties. Cooperation in defence and security, education and training, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges continues to expand.

Building upon this foundation, they concurred that Vietnam-Canada relations have fully matured to enter a new stage of development characterized by heightened political trust, deeper and more substantive cooperation, and tighter interwoven interests, culminating in the establishment of a Strategic Partnership, while pledging to promptly formulating a specific agenda and action plan to effectively realize  the new framework.

Both sides consented to step up high-level delegations and contacts, promote parliamentary cooperation, and leverage bilateral mechanisms, including regular consultations and dialogues between the two foreign ministries, while coordinating and supporting each other at regional and multilateral forums.

PM Carney expressed his desire to make economic, trade, investment, financial, and economic integration cooperation a key driver of the Strategic Partnership; facilitate market access for goods, boost trade, investment promotion, and supply chain connectivity; encourage Canadian businesses and investment funds to ramp up investment in Vietnam; and welcome new areas of cooperation such as infrastructure and transportation, while supporting the study of opening direct air routes between the two countries.

The host leader  urged both sides to further enhance  the role of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in promoting free trade and to swiftly conclude negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, thereby expanding cooperation opportunities  and diversifying markets and supply chains.        

Party General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that both nations need to focus on new priorities in bilateral relations, notably making science and technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies new drivers; proposed bolstering cooperation in research, development, and application of new technologies, sharing experience in digital transformation, building a digital government, digital economy, and digital society; and focusing on developing high-quality human resources.

The two sides concurred on enhancing linkages between universities, research institutes, and enterprises, while stepping up joint research, knowledge and technology transfer, and the development of an innovation ecosystem.

They agreed upon expanding energy cooperation, encompassing clean energy, LNG, renewables, and the potential for peaceful nuclear energy cooperation. They also resolved to step up cooperation across healthcare,  the environment, agriculture, food security, education and training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, while fully tapping  complementary strengths in agriculture and food production and trade to build sustainable supply chains.

To Lam asked Canada to continue offering favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Canada to settle down, integrate, and thrive, thereby making active contributions to the host society and serving as a friendly bridge between the two countries.

Regarding defence and security cooperation, both sides will boost cooperation in defence, security, and law enforcement based on each country’s needs and aspirations; expand cooperation in non-traditional security, maritime security, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, United Nations peacekeeping, and transnational crime prevention; and support moving toward the establishment of a bilateral dialogue on security and law enforcement.

PM Carney affirmed support for Vietnam in hosting the third Vietnam International Defence Expo and will send representatives to attend, while welcoming the early opening of a Vietnamese Defence Attaché Office in Canada.

On regional and international issues, the two sides shared a common vision on promoting dialogue, cooperation, and upholding multilateralism, the United Nations Charter, and international law. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and concurred on resolving disputes through peaceful means based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PM Carney affirmed his nation's support for ASEAN centrality and the enhancement of ASEAN-Canada cooperation. The two leaders consented to step up coordination at the United Nations, La Francophonie, APEC, the CPTPP, and ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam appreciated Canada's support for Vietnam in assuming international responsibilities. PM Mark Carney thanked Vietnam for supporting the reinforcement of ASEAN-Canada relations and the negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement.

Top leader To Lam invited PM Mark Carney to pay an official visit to Vietnam in 2026 and attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in 2027.

PM Mark Carney graciously accepted the invitation, affirming Canada’s support and readiness to coordinate with Vietnam to ensure the success of the APEC Year 2027.

On this occasion, host and guest witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between agencies of the two countries and issued a joint statement on the official elevation of Vietnam-Canada relations to a Strategic Partnership.

They expressed confidence that the new framework will open a new chapter in bilateral ties, helping Vietnam-Canada cooperation  develop more deeply, substantively, and effectively, and making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.