-ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN — MAY 6, 2025 — RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENCY” HANDOUT — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — Kazakhstan and Vietnam raised ties to a strategic partnership during a three-day visit by the Vietnamese president to the Central Asian nation, according to a joint statement by the presidential press service in Astana. The decision was made following talks between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his counterpart To Lam in Astana. It said the two leaders appreciated their cooperation, which has been actively developing and strengthening in recent years. The statement indicated that Tokayev and Lam “held a meaningful and comprehensive discussion of the prospects for the development of bilateral relations in the future, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.” They confirmed Kazakhstan and Vietnam are important partners for each other in their respective regions, agreeing to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, it added. Tokayev and Lam also agreed that the development and deepening of relations “meets the common interests of the two peoples and makes a significant contribution to ensuring peace, stability and development in the region and the world.” Lam arrived in Astana on Monday as part of a regional visit until May 12, during which he will also visit Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Russia.