Socialist Republic of Vietnam

On July 28, Viet Nam Embassy in Washington D.C organized a virtual ceremony chaired by Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Ha Kim Ngoc to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of Viet Nam - US diplomatic ties. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Congressman Ted Yoho (R-Florida) were the Guests of Honor at the ceremony. Nearly 200 representatives from the US Administration, Congress, think-tanks, business community, NGOs, veteran, the National League of POW/MIA Families, and Vice President of the World Bank, ASEAN Ambassadors and Charge d’affaires, American and international friends and Vietnamese compatriots who have made tremendous contributions to Viet Nam – U.S. relations attended the event.

Via a video message, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (photo below) shared that Viet Nam and the United States should be proud of the journey of overcoming challenges and differences to become partners. The two countries’ relations have been deepened and broadened not only in bilateral cooperation but also in the international and regional spectrum. Viet Nam highly values the U.S. support and close cooperation especially when Viet Nam assumes its roles as the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure. He also expressed his appreciation for generations of leaders and members of the U.S. Administration and Congress, American veterans, people from all walks of life of the two countries as well as international friends for their contribution to the normalization and advancement of Viet Nam – US relationship.

In the opening remarks, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc ((photo below) stressed that the establishment of Viet Nam – U.S diplomatic ties in 1995 was the right decision, opening up a new chapter in bilateral relations as well as Viet Nam’s regional and international integration. Rising above deep division and suffering, the two countries have gradually healed the wounds of war, built mutual trust, and formed the Comprehensive Partnership based on shared interests and respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political system. Even during the difficult time amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries and peoples have been deepening cooperation by helping each other to cope with the pandemic and initiate post COVID-19 economic recovery. Bilateral collaboration has been expanded to address regional and global issues, including the East Sea/ South China Sea, Mekong, the Korean Peninsula, and other key issues on the UN Security Council’s agenda, thus contributing to the maintenance of peace, security, cooperation and respect to international law. Together, Viet Nam and the United States have worked to promote ASEAN – U.S. Strategic Partnership and ASEAN centrality in the Indo – Asia – Pacific.

At the ceremony, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun (photo below) stated that cooperation in searching for American MIA essentially paved the way to normalization and cooperation in addressing war legacies, including dioxin remediation, UXOs and war victim assistance. Sharing his impression on President Donald Trump’s visit to Hanoi for the second US – DPRK Summit, he stressed that this was the manifestation of the closer U.S. - Viet Nam cooperation. Together with achievements in bilateral cooperation on trade, defense, education and people-to-people exchanges, the two countries share common interests of managing challenges posed to the Mekong and Indo-Pacific. The United States will continue to assist Viet Nam in enhancing maritime law enforcement capacity and sending Peace Corps volunteers to teach English in Viet Nam. He congratulated Viet Nam on the able assumption of the role of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, particularly in the face of numerous challenges.

Senator Patrick Leahy (photo below) emphasized that over the past 25 years, both countries have witnessed various significant milestones in many areas. The senator expressed his gratitude and appreciation to those who have contributed to the normalization, including late Senator John McCain and former Senator John Kerry… He reaffirmed that addressing war legacies, including dioxin remediation, UXOs clearance, and U.S. and Vietnamese MIA accounting has proven to be a notable area in the two countries’ relations and the U.S. Congress pledged to continued support Viet Nam in these areas. The future of U.S. – Viet Nam relations is brilliant with closer cooperation in trade, pandemic control, as well as security, climate change, clean energy, and coping with threats to regional peace.

Congressman Yoho (photo below) said that it is the sincerity of the Vietnamese people that has connected the two nations. After 25 years, $80 billion of two-way trade has shown the mutual trust and mutual respect of the two countries. In the face of current challenges in the East Sea, Congressman Yoho said that this is the time for both nations not only to work closely to promote economic cooperation, but also contribute to maintaining peace in the region. The two countries are working together to build a better future with increased mutual trust.

American friends from non-governmental organizations, business associations, religious organizations, the U.S. Communist Party, and left-wing movements, including those who directly engaged in the early stage of Viet Nam – US normalization process, shared their fond memories and appreciation for their Vietnamese friends and the strong conviction in the brighter future of Viet Nam – U.S. ties.

At the ceremony, American and international friends have enjoyed wonderful Vietnamese folk songs performed by Vietnamese American artists with T’rung instrument and the piano.  

The virtual celebration hosted by the Embassy of Viet Nam in the United States marks one of the major events in a series of activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of Viet Nam – U.S. diplomatic relations./.