Vietnam's Lam secures chip, oil deals in first U.S. trip as party boss

War, human rights discussed as Lam becomes country's first communist chief to address U.N.

20240924 To Lam visit U.S. AP24266559065528.jpg

Vietnamese President To Lam speaks at the United Nations General Assembly during the Summit for the Future on Sept. 22 in New York. © AP

LIEN HOANG, Nikkei staff writer

September 24, 2024 15:28 JST

HO CHI MINH CITY -- Vietnamese and U.S. companies signed deals on chips, oil and gas, and aviation on a New York visit by To Lam, who also on the trip became the first Vietnam communist party chief to address the United Nations.

Lam, a former security minister now serving a dual role as president, spent Monday urging Washington to scrap Nvidia export limits to Vietnam and recognize it as a market economy as well, while dodging questions about its old war foe, the former South Vietnam.