Vietnam’s top leader To Lam is planning a visit to China next week to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping, three people briefed on the plans told Reuters, in a trip that would closely follow his elevation to the state presidency.

The trip, which is still being planned and could be postponed due to scheduling issues, would reinforce Vietnam’s ties with its much larger neighbour at a time when both countries are concerned about energy security and face tariff pressure from the United States.

The sources declined to be named, noting that details of leaders’ overseas visits are considered sensitive in Vietnam. The visit is expected to take place from 14–17 April, two of the sources said.

It would likely be Lam’s first overseas trip since he was elected state president on Tuesday, a move that gives him a powerful dual mandate to govern for the next five years, concentrating authority in a way that is unusual in Vietnam and comparable to China, where Xi leads both the party and the state.

China’s foreign ministry said it had no information to provide on the possible visit at this stage. Vietnam’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Technology and Energy in Focus

The two communist neighbours have differing positions over boundaries in the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea, but have recently drawn closer, with co-operation advances in several sensitive areas. These include rail links, special economic zones near the border, and the use of Chinese technology in Vietnam’s 5G network.

Possible agreements on telecommunications infrastructure and other sensitive sectors may be reached during or ahead of the visit, though they may not be publicly announced, officials said.

Security co-operation has also been emphasised in recent engagements, including the potential import of Chinese surveillance tools, as police authorities have gained increased influence in Vietnam since Lam, a former public security minister, rose to the top position.

Energy Concerns and Strategic Context

Vietnam may also seek additional support on energy security, as it relies on imports from China of oil products, including jet fuel and certain fertilisers. Beijing has restricted some exports due to supply pressures linked to the war in the Gulf.

Hanoi raised the need for co-operation on energy security during a mid-March meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers, as it prepared contingency plans, including potential rationing of jet fuel.

Lam had travelled to China shortly after becoming party chief in August 2024, marking his first overseas visit in that role.

He had also planned to meet Xi following his confirmation as general secretary in January, but that visit was postponed for unspecified reasons, officials said.

(with inputs from Reuters)