Vietnam-US: Partners of Peace, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development

On August 5, 1995, in Hanoi, US Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam signed the Protocol, officially establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States. Photo: VNA

Political-diplomatic cooperation

An important foundation for the development of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership is the two sides' affirmation of basic principles, such as respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, equal cooperation and mutual benefit, based on international law and the United Nations Charter.

Vietnam affirms its consistent view of attaching importance to developing relations with the United States, promoting cooperation and the development of Vietnam-US relations, on the basis of the basic principles agreed by senior leaders of both sides.

Likewise, the United States consistently affirms its commitment to support a "strong, independent and prosperous" Vietnam, appreciating Vietnam's role and the US-Vietnam relationship. The two countries develop on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, aiming to elevate relations.

On that basis, Vietnam and the United States promote political-diplomatic cooperation, maintain contact activities, exchange delegations at all levels, enhance understanding and deepen bilateral relations. Through bilateral contacts at multilateral forums, the two sides promote cooperation at international and regional forums, coordinate effectively in solving regional and international issues of common concern.

US President Barack Obama and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks at the White House, July 7, 2015. (Photo: VNA)

Notably, in March 2023, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden had an important phone call, creating strong momentum for the two countries' relationship.

During the phone conversation, the two leaders appreciated the comprehensive development of the two countries' relations.

They agreed to promote, develop, and deepen Vietnam-US relations for the benefit of the two countries, for peace, cooperation, and development.

US President Joe Biden affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner, and reaffirmed respect for Vietnam's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions. He agreed that respect is an important foundation of bilateral relations.

The United States is committed to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. They look forward to the cooperation of Vietnam and other countries in negotiating the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

The US supports the Mekong region's peaceful and sustainable development, affirming its importance to the central role of ASEAN.

Long step forward in economic cooperation

Along with good political relations, economic cooperation, trade, and investment are also successful areas of cooperation between Vietnam and the United States. They have become the focus, foundation, and driving force for the development of general relations between the two countries.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shakes hands with US Vice President Joe Biden during his official visit to the US in 2015. Photo: VNA

Currently, the United States is one of Vietnam's leading trading partners and is Vietnam's first export market exceeding US$100 billion. Since the two countries normalized relations, trade growth between Vietnam and the US increased from US$451 million in 1995 to about US$130 billion in 2022.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper emphasized that Vietnam's export products are products suitable for the US market and consumer tastes, including machinery, electronic equipment, textiles, garments, footwear, seafood, and wood products.

Regarding investment, for many years, the United States has been a major investment partner in Vietnam, with nearly 1,150 active projects, total registered investment capital of more than US$10.3 billion.

Vietnam has now risen to the 7th largest trading partner of the US in the world.

Within the framework of the ASEAN-US Special Summit in Washington D.C., USA, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House, May 12, 2022. Photo: VNA

Developing bilateral relations

Defense-security relations between Vietnam and the US maintain growing momentum, notably Vietnam welcoming US aircraft carriers to Da Nang port three times in 2018, 2020, and 2023. The two sides maintain an annual dialogue mechanism.

Humanitarian cooperation and overcoming the consequences of war continue to be a high priority and have achieved many specific results.

The United States continues to increase the budget for the Bien Hoa airport decontamination project, support for people with disabilities in dioxin-contaminated areas, aid for mine clearance projects, and search, gather, and examine the remains of Vietnamese soldiers during the war.

Vietnamese agencies coordinated with the US side to search, identify and return to the US the remains of missing US soldiers.

The two sides also successfully organized the defense policy dialogue and approved the defense action plan for the period 2022-2024, continued to deploy annual dialogue mechanisms and promoted the Pacific Partnership 2023.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 11th ASEAN-US Summit. Photo: VNA

Vietnam-US educational cooperation also made positive strides. The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced a US Government budget of US$37 million for Fulbright University Vietnam to build a school in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City.

Medical cooperation, Covid-19 response, and post-pandemic recovery between Vietnam and the US continue to be a bright spot, especially in mutual support of medical equipment, vaccine access, and sharing experience in pandemic prevention and citizen protection. In addition, the two sides continue to strengthen cooperation in responding to climate change and energy transition.

US President Joe Biden's state visit to Vietnam has special significance, demonstrating the US's regard for Vietnam and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The visit also affirmed Vietnam's position and prestige and demonstrated the United States' determination to bring US-Vietnam relations to new heights.

The new stature of the two countries' relationship will establish a stable, long-term framework and open up space for the development of Vietnam-US relations, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world.

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