Important milestones in 30 years of Vietnam - US relations
VOV.VN - The normalisation of the relations between Vietnam and the United States in 1995 marked the beginning of a transformative journey from former foes to comprehensive partners, fostering peace, stability, and development over the past three decades.
Vietnam and United States normalise diplomatic relations
US President Bill Clinton on the night of July 11, 1995 (local time) announced the normalisation of diplomatic relations with Vietnam, stating that it was time to move forward and build a cooperative future between the US and Vietnam. Earlier, on February 3, 1994, Clinton had announced a decision to lift the US trade embargo against Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, on the morning of July 12, 1995 (Hanoi time) declared the normalisation of diplomatic relations with the US. In his statement, he affirmed that this decision was in line with international trends and was expected to make a positive contribution to peace, stability, and development in Southeast Asia and globally.
Following the normalisation, in August 1995, Vietnam opened its embassy in Washington D.C., and the US subsequently opened its embassy in Hanoi. In May 1997, Le Van Bang was appointed the first Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, while Douglas Peterson was named the first US Ambassador to Vietnam.
US President Bill Clinton pays official visit to Vietnam
From November 16 to November 19, 2000, US President Bill Clinton paid an official visit to Vietnam. This was the first visit by a US President to Vietnam after the normalisation of relations, and the first since Vietnam’s reunification in 1975.
During his trip, President Clinton met with State President Tran Duc Luong and spoke with students at Vietnam National University in Hanoi. He also showed many warm gestures toward the Vietnamese people.
Later, President Clinton returned to Vietnam in December 2006, November 2010, July 2014, and July 2015, with his visits in 2010 and 2015 marking the 15th and 20th anniversaries of normalisation, respectively.
Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet makes an official visit to the US
From June 18 to June 23, 2007, President Nguyen Minh Triet and his spouse paid an official visit to the US at the invitation of US President George W. Bush and the First Lady. This was the first visit by a Vietnamese head of state to the US since Vietnam’s reunification in 1975.
During the visit, President Triet held talks with President Bush and met with leaders of both the US House of Representatives and Senate. The visit marked an important milestone in deepening the Vietnam - US relationship.
Prior to this, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai visited the US from June 19 to June 25, 2005, and US President George W. Bush paid an official visit to Vietnam and attended the 14th APEC Summit from November 17 to 20, 2006. Later, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited the US from June 23 to 26, 2008.
Vietnam and the United States establish comprehensive partnership
From July 24 to July 26, 2013, President Truong Tan Sang paid an official visit to the US at the invitation of President Barack Obama. On July 25, the two presidents announced the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and the US.
The Vietnam US Joint Statement outlines the principles and scope of the new relationship, including respect for the UN Charter, international law, each other’s political systems, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Both sides agreed on cooperation mechanisms across multiple areas, from politics and diplomacy, to trade and economy, science and technology, education and training, environment and health, war legacy issues, defence and security, human rights, culture, sports, and tourism.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong pays official visit to the US
From July 6 to July 10, 2015, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to the US at the invitation of President Barack Obama. This was the first-ever visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the US.
During the visit, General Secretary Trong and President Obama held talks in the Oval Office of the White House. Several agreements were signed in areas such as economy, trade, security and defence, and education. The visit concluded with a Joint Vision Statement between Vietnam and the US.
Less than a year later, President Obama visited Vietnam from May 22 to 24, 2016, and announced the complete lifting of the US ban on lethal arms sales to Vietnam.
President Donald Trump visits Vietnam, attends US–DPRK summit
On February 27 - 28, 2019, Vietnam played host to the second summit between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The hosting was seen as a symbol of overcoming war, breaking with the past, and embracing integration and development.
This was President Trump’s second visit to Vietnam following the 2017 trip for the 14th APEC Summit in Da Nang.
During the 2019 visit, the two sides signed four cooperation agreements worth around US$21 billion, including a contract to purchase 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, a contract for aircraft engines and comprehensive maintenance services; a contract for 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners; and a Memorandum of Understanding on aviation management technology and software services.
Vietnam and the United States establish comprehensive strategic partnership
President Joe Biden paid a state visit to Vietnam on September 10-11, 2023 at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. This marked the first time a US President paid a state visit at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
On September 10, 2023, during the visit, the two countries officially upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as announced in a joint communiqué. This was also the first time Vietnam elevated a partnership directly from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, skipping the intermediate Strategic Partnership level.
General Secretary Trong emphasised that the new partnership would continue to be based on fundamental principles that have guided bilateral ties, including respect for the UN Charter, international law, political systems, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
President Biden affirmed that this was a critical step forward that the US and Vietnam have progressed from conflict to normalisation and were now elevating the relationship to promote security and prosperity in one of the most vital regions in the world.
Achievements after 30 years of normalised relations
Over the past 30 years since normalisation, Vietnam and the US have achieved tangible results across various fields. Both sides have built mutual trust, shared strategic interests, and committed to substantive cooperation.
The US is now one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners and is the first export market of Vietnam to surpass US$100 billion in trade turnover.
Political and diplomatic ties continue to grow. Cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, education and training, healthcare, culture, and tourism has all seen remarkable progress.
These milestones and achievements are clear evidence of the determination by both sides to develop Vietnam–US relations in the spirit of breaking with the past, overcoming differences, promoting commonalities, and looking toward the future.
Vietnam – US relations: From former foes to trusted strategic partners
VOV.VN - From former foes after the war, Vietnam and the United States have overcome differences to become comprehensive strategic partners - a journey that is truly rare in international relations, according to Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung.
