Vietnam and US Relations See Remarkable Progress

Strategic Insights -

In an exclusive interview, Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung highlighted the remarkable progress in bilateral relations between Vietnam and the US, marking an extraordinary transformation from former adversaries to comprehensive strategic partners. The past 30 years have been a highly meaningful chapter in the bilateral ties, demonstrating the fruit of Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and deep global integration for peace and development. Four key factors have contributed to this progress: the vision and political determination of leaders, mutual respect, joint efforts to address war aftermath, and economic and trade cooperation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The vision and political determination of leaders from both countries have played a crucial role in the development of Vietnam-US relations, with a growing consensus on shared strategic interests and mutual benefits.
  • Mutual respect, particularly respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, and political regimes, has been a fundamental principle guiding the growth of the bilateral relationship.
  • Joint efforts to address war aftermath, such as dioxin decontamination, bomb and mine clearance, support for Agent Orange/dioxin victims, and search for personnel missing in action, have been essential in rebuilding trust and fostering cooperation.
  • Economic and trade cooperation has been a key driver of the Vietnam-US relationship, with bilateral trade increasing more than 200-fold since 1995, making Vietnam one of the US's leading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
  • Vietnam aims to become a trusted partner of the US in global supply chains, with a focus on high technology, supply chains, hi-tech agriculture, and digital transformation.
  • Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation is a new highlight, especially in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and health care.
  • Both countries will strengthen ties in education and high-quality workforce training, defence and security, people-to-people exchanges, and continuous efforts to overcome war consequences.

Statistics:

  • Bilateral trade between Vietnam and the US has increased more than 200-fold since 1995.
  • Vietnam has become one of the US's leading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
  • Vietnam aims to become a trusted partner of the US in global supply chains.
  • The relationship between Vietnam and the US was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023.

Sources:

  • Vietnam News Agency (VNA)
  • Official interview with Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung
  • Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Vietnam News Agency.