Hanoi: Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam, is set to visit North Korea to commemorate the 80th founding anniversary of the country’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, as reported by state media on Monday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Vietnamese leader will embark on a state visit to North Korea at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The visit coincides with the party anniversary scheduled for Friday, as confirmed by the Korean Central News Agency in a brief announcement. Vietnam’s foreign ministry disclosed that Lam’s visit will span three days starting Thursday.

This visit marks the first trip to North Korea by a Vietnamese leader in 18 years. Vietnam and North Korea have maintained diplomatic relations since 1950. In celebration of the party anniversary, North Korea is anticipated to hold a large-scale military parade. The South Korean military has noted the possibility of a nighttime parade featuring tens of thousands of personnel.