Vietnam - US relations: Sustaining momentum toward balanced, enduring partnership
Over the past three decades, two-way trade has increased more than 300 times, with Vietnam becoming a major player in global supply chains. Many major US corporations now view Vietnam as a strategic manufacturing and consumer market, while more Vietnamese firms are entering the highly competitive US market.
Hanoi (VNA) 🌌– As Vietnam and the US are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic ties (July 11, 1995 – 2025), officials and experts from both countries held that the relations have grown deeper, broader, and more resilient, with economic and trade cooperation playing a central role in driving the relationship forward.
The assessment was shared at a forum titled “30 Years of Vietnam - US Relations: Advancing Balanced and Sustainable Trade”, held in Hanoi on July 11 by Tien Phong (Vanguard) Newspaper.
The event brought together diplomats, scholars, trade promotion officials, and business leaders to reflect on past achievements and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
Speaking at the event, journalist Phung Cong Suong, Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong Newspaper, said the three decades of the bilateral ties reflect not only the passage of time but the depth of trust and dialogue between two former adversaries.
Suong recalled words by Pete Peterson, the first US Ambassador to Vietnam and a former prisoner of war, who said that he came to Vietnam twice, once to fight, and once to reconcile. No journey is more worthwhile than the second journey.
Participants highlighted that the Vietnam-US relationship has expanded across multiple sectors, with trade and investment cooperation remaining a key pillar. Over the past three decades, two-way trade has increased more than 300 times, with Vietnam becoming a major player in global supply chains. Many major US corporations now view Vietnam as a strategic manufacturing and consumer market, while more Vietnamese firms are entering the highly competitive US market.
Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh noted that the past 30 years reflect a journey of growing mutual understanding and strategic trust. The Vietnam-US relations have developed in parallel with Vietnam’s reform and global integration process, he said, adding that these two paths reinforce one another.
Economist Dr. Can Van Luc, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, said there remains untapped potential in bilateral trade.
The two economies complement each other more than they compete, he said, citing Vietnam’s young population, affordable labour costs, and institutional reforms as factors that could boost its global competitiveness.
“The hardest part is behind us. There’s no reason we can’t keep building on what we’ve achieved,” Luc said./.
Three decades since the normalisation of bilateral ties, thanks to tireless efforts from both nations, Vietnam and the US have built mutual trust, becoming friends and comprehensive strategic partners across all sectors.
Three former US ambassadors to Vietnam have shared their views on the past achievements and future prospects of bilateral relations as the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of their diplomatic relations this July.
The Hanoi exhibition chronicles key milestones in Vietnam-US relations and their cooperation across politics, economy, culture, science, education, health care, and national defence.
The leaders noted that the two sides had agreed to turn scientific and technological cooperation into a pillar and a new highlight of bilateral relations.
This is a crucial session to consider and give opinions on a wide range of issues to be submitted to the NA's 10th sitting – the final of the current term, which will review the 2021–2026 tenure and prepare for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first general election.
The signed documents include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological cooperation, an MoU on copyright and related rights cooperation, and another on strengthening collaboration in renewable energy.
Vietnam’s participation in AMNEX 3 demonstrates its commitment as a member of the ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM) and responds to the invitation of the Royal Malaysian Navy, showing support for multilateral international activities hosted by Malaysia.
Since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1992, the bilateral relationship has become a model of a very special, effective, and substantive partnership.
Addressing the meeting, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his pleasure at meeting a large number of Vietnamese living and working in the RoK, acknowledging and appreciating their efforts in contributing to the growing Vietnam–RoK partnership.
He also welcomed the “Vietnam Private Sector Panorama” as a platform for dialogue, awareness-raising, and inspiring a wealth-creation movement, emphasising that it must deliver tangible results.
During a meeting on August 10 in Seoul with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectuals, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude to Korean friendship, economic, cultural associations, universities, research institutes, individuals, and NGOs for their significant contributions to nurturing the Vietnam–RoK relationship.
Party General Secretary To Lam met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (RoK)–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on August 10 as part of his state visit to the RoK.
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee is scheduled to convene its 48th session on August 11-13, with August 14-15 set as a backup date, according to the NA Office.
Vietnam’s Ambassador to Brazil and Bolivia Bui Van Nghi has led an embassy delegation to attend official events marking the 200th anniversary of Bolivia’s Independence Day.
Party General Secretary To Lam met with members of the Vietnam Innovation Network in Korea (VINK) and Vietnamese experts living and working in the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Seoul on August 10 as part of his state visit to the RoK.
In an interview with Korean media on the occasion of Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to the RoK, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the visit demonstrates Vietnam’s strong resolve to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the RoK, with the aim of fostering greater political trust, closer strategic coordination, more substantive and comprehensive cooperation, and stronger bonds of friendship between the two countries' people.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is also a Politburo member and Secretary of the Government Party Committee, attended the 4th Party Congress of the EVN Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 tenure on August 10, directing EVN to ensure power supply to meet the country’s development demands with double-digit growth set for the coming years.
Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Seongnam Air Base in Seoul on August 10 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
