Tô Lâm thanks Kazakhstan for its support of Vietnam’s independence

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Tô Lâm has thanked Kazakhstan for its support of Vietnam’s fight for independence, as reported by Akorda, the official apparatus of Kazakhstan’s president. He also expressed his gratitude to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the people of Kazakhstan for the warm reception in Astana.

«CPV and the people of Vietnam will always be grateful for the support Kazakhstan provided to our country in the past, during its fight for national liberation, and continues to provide now by facilitating the development of our country,» Tô Lâm said.

He also recalled that the foundation for friendship and cooperation between the two nations was laid down in August 1959, when President of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh made an official visit to Kazakhstan.

In turn, Tokayev said that in 1982, Zhansen Kereev, a Kazakhstani lieutenant general, was dispatched to Vietnam with the mission to assist the country in strengthening its military and defense. Ho Chi Minh himself recognized Kereev’s work, awarding him the Vietnam Friendship Medal, a title of honor to foreigners who have worked in Vietnam for a certain period, and made contributions to the cause of the construction and defense of the country.

During the Vietnam War (1955 to 1975), Kazakhstan, as a vital part of the Soviet Union, provided significant support to Northern Vietnam. That war ended when the communists under Ho Chi Minh’s leadership defeated South Vietnam, which was actively supported by the U.S., and the country was reunited.

The Soviet Union also played a key role in the restoration of Vietnam’s economy after the war. Vietnam recognized Kazakhstan as an independent country in December 1991. In June 1992, the two countries established diplomatic relations.