Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary To Lam received Frederick W. Smith, Founder and Executive Chairman of the US-based multinational conglomerate FedEx, in Hanoi on February 25.
At the meeting, the Party leader highlighted the strong development of Vietnam-US relations, particularly in 2025, as the two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties and recently upgraded bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Lam commended FedEx’s achievements in Vietnam over the past three decades and affirmed his support for the company’s continued expansion in key sectors such as infrastructure, services, and transport, contributing to strengthening global supply chains and positioning Vietnam as a major logistics hub. He urged FedEx to collaborate closely with Vietnamese authorities to swiftly and effectively implement its business expansion plans in the country.
The Party chief noted that 2025 marks a critical year for the Southeast Asian nation as it prepares for a breakthrough phase of development. He expressed his hope that the company would prioritise Vietnam as a key market while affirming the country’s priority given to long-standing partners like FedEx.
For his part, Smith expressed his pride in FedEx’s contributions to Vietnam’s economic growth over the past three decades and highlighted Vietnam’s potential to become a leading logistics centre in the region and the world.
He also outlined the conglomerate’s plans to further expand operations in Vietnam, including enhancing its presence at Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai international airports as well as exploring future expansion at Long Thanh and Gia Binh airports. These efforts aim to boost Vietnam’s transport capacity and integration into global supply chains.
Additionally, Lam encouraged FedEx and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to deepen their cooperation with Vietnam in the development of pediatric cancer treatment. FedEx has long supported the hospital’s collaboration with the Vietnamese national cancer hospital and the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in this field.
In response, Smith pledged to engage with St. Jude’s leaders upon his return to the US to develop a concrete support plan. He expressed his hope that Vietnam could achieve a pediatric cancer recovery rate of 94%, similar to that in the US./.
