<\/div><\/div>Vietnam and US strengthen substantive cooperation, committed to peace and sustainable development<\/strong><\/p>
Keywords:<\/strong> Vietnam-US, comprehensive strategic partnership, Hun Cao, To Lam, war legacy remediation, maritime security, humanitarian cooperation, PP-PF26<\/p>
On June 22, General Secretary and President To Lam met with US Acting Navy Secretary Hun Cao in Hanoi. Hun Cao was attending the Pacific Partnership-Pacific Friendship 2026 program (PP-PF26) in Vietnam. The meeting came amid positive momentum in Vietnam-US relations, especially after the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.<\/p>
This meeting not only reflects the growing political trust but also shows the determination to translate high-level commitments into concrete, practical, and long-term cooperation projects.<\/p>
During the meeting, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that Vietnam always considers the US one of its most important strategic partners. Vietnam wishes to closely coordinate with Washington to effectively implement the comprehensive strategic partnership framework, ensuring substantive, comprehensive, and effective development, bringing benefits to the people and contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.<\/p>
The Vietnamese leader also conveyed greetings to US President Donald Trump and his wife through the Acting Navy Secretary, expressing hope for early visits by the US leaders. This diplomatic message highlights Vietnam's importance of maintaining high-level dialogue and strategic understanding.<\/p>
Hun Cao expressed delight at returning to Vietnam and highly appreciated the positive progress in Vietnam-US relations. He affirmed Washington's value for relations with Hanoi, supporting a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam, and supporting Vietnam's increasingly important role in regional affairs.<\/p>
An important part of the exchange was defense cooperation, particularly on maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response. Both sides agreed that defense cooperation activities serve not only national interests but also contribute to building a peaceful, secure, and development-friendly environment in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/p>
Hun Cao said the US wants to expand cooperation with Vietnam in multiple areas, from maritime security, capacity building, humanitarian assistance, to natural disaster response and jointly addressing regional challenges. These areas reflect a new trend in bilateral cooperation: shifting from political dialogue to concrete action coordination, with a greater focus on serving people and maintaining regional stability.<\/p>
The selection of Quang Tri for PP-PF26 humanitarian and disaster response activities also carries deep symbolism. Having suffered from war and still facing severe natural disasters, Quang Tri serves as a vivid testament to humanitarian efforts, healing, and people-centered cooperation.<\/p>
During the meeting, General Secretary and President To Lam stressed the significance of addressing war legacies for Vietnam-US relations. He suggested the US continue and expand programs on Agent Orange remediation, mine clearance, and assistance for the disabled, while increasing technology transfer, information provision, and personal belongings return to support the search and identification of Vietnamese martyrs.<\/p>
This is a deeply humanitarian issue that not only meets historical and emotional needs of the Vietnamese people but also helps consolidate strategic trust between the two countries. In international relations, few areas build as strong a bond as joint efforts to end the past and look towards the future.<\/p>
Hun Cao expressed deep sympathy, sharing that he was born during wartime and therefore understands the pain of conflict. He considered the progress in addressing war legacies a strong testament to the joint determination of the two countries to set aside the past and look to the future. He also thanked the Vietnamese government and people for helping search for missing US servicemen, reaffirming the US's long-term commitment to Vietnam's war legacy programs.<\/p>
During the visit, Hun Cao also expressed admiration for Vietnam's development achievements and rising international standing. As a Vietnamese-American holding a senior US government position, he pledged to continue supporting initiatives to strengthen connections within the Vietnamese community in the US, encouraging their contribution to the homeland's development, stability, and prosperity, while deepening Vietnam-US relations.<\/p>
The overseas Vietnamese community increasingly serves as an important soft bridge in bilateral relations. They are not only symbols of reconciliation and integration but also a force driving people-to-people exchange and cooperation in economy, education, culture, and science.<\/p>
The meeting between General Secretary and President To Lam and US Acting Navy Secretary Hun Cao indicates that Vietnam-US relations are entering a more stable, substantive, and deeper phase. From defense and maritime security cooperation to addressing war legacies and humanitarian aid, the two countries are building a sustainable foundation for cooperation based on shared interests, mutual respect, and a forward-looking spirit.<\/p>
Amid ongoing changes in the regional and global situation, Vietnam and the US maintaining dialogue, expanding cooperation, and enhancing trust not only has bilateral significance but also contributes to peace, cooperation, and development in the Indo-Pacific region. This is the core and long-term value of the maturing relationship.<\/p>Introduction<\/h3>
Deepening bilateral relations<\/h3>
Defense and maritime security cooperation as key pillars<\/h3>
Addressing war legacies: foundation of trust<\/h3>
Role of the Vietnamese community in the US<\/h3>
Conclusion<\/h3>
