NEW YORK, September 21, 2026: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam at the Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.According to the Turkish Communications Directorate, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments.
Erdogan welcomed Vietnam’s positive response to Türkiye’s proposal to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership, describing it as an important step toward strengthening cooperation between the two countries.The Turkish president said Ankara was working to expand cooperation with Vietnam in several areas, particularly investment, trade and the defense industry. He also emphasized the importance of continued coordination between Türkiye and Vietnam at international forums and on global issues.
During the meeting, Erdogan congratulated To Lam on his election as Vietnam’s president and invited him to attend the Leaders’ Summit of COP31, which Türkiye is scheduled to host in Antalya in November.Türkiye and Vietnam established diplomatic relations on June 7, 1978, and have continued to strengthen bilateral engagement in recent years.
