USIP dialogue sheds light on Vietnam – US postwar reconciliation efforts

The hybrid dialogue brought together approximately 150 delegates 150 delegates, including USIP leaders, representatives from the US Congress, the US Department of State, the US Department of Defense, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US-ASEAN Business Council, researchers, policy advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, and diplomatic representatives from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

The Vietnamese delegation included representatives from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Vietnam Martyrs’ Family Support Association (VMFSA), the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), and the War Remnants Museum.

Addressing delegates, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasized the effective cooperation between the two countries, not only in addressing the consequences of war but also in various fields since the upgrade of their partnership a year ago.

Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper noted that 2025 will be a special year in Vietnam - US relations as both countries will celebrate 30 years of the normalization of diplomacy and 50 years of the end of war in Vietnam.

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated that the committee has approved a bill providing US$73 million for bomb and mine clearance in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

He vowed to work alongside his colleagues in the US Congress, to support programs addressing the aftermath of the Vietnam War, such as unexploded ordnance clearance, assistance for Agent Orange victims and disabled children, and locating missing soldiers from both sides. The support, he said, aims not only to heal past wounds but also to cooperate with Vietnamese partners to tackle current and future challenges.

Jed Royal, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, noted that defense cooperation and shared security interests between the US and Vietnam are growing considerably.

Part of bilateral defense cooperation is the continued effort by both sides to address the consequences of the war in Vietnam, including searching for missing soldiers in action, decontaminating areas affected by dioxin, and dismantling unexploded ordnance, while raising local awareness about the dangers of leftover bombs and mines.

To date, approximately 700,000 unexploded bombs and mines have been removed, and Vietnam has helped identify and repatriate the remains of 700 American soldiers missing in action in Vietnam.

According to PhD. Pham Lan Dung, acting director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, both sides gained a clearer understanding of the existing issues and acknowledged the need for joint efforts in reconciliation and addressing the aftermath of the war.

Evaluating the USIP report on Vietnam-US reconciliation, PhD. Dung remarked that it is one of the most comprehensive and in-depth reports to date in this field.

Repot team members had interviewed numerous individuals from both sides, including representatives from the two governments, to provide a balanced view, helping to better understand the extraordinary efforts made by both sides, from former foes to friends, strategic partners and comprehensive strategic partners following the upgrade in 2023.

This study serves as an excellent resource for training and research in the area of reconciliation between Vietnam and the US, and it can also serve as a model for other stakeholders involved in conflicts worldwide to learn from, said PhD. Dung.

Meanwhile, PhD. Andrew Wells-Dang, a senior expert on Southeast Asia at USIP and leader of the Vietnam War Legacies and Reconciliation Initiative at USIP, revealed that USIP plans to open an exhibition on Vietnam-US relations from April to July 2025, highlighting achievements in addressing the consequences of war, including bomb clearance and support for Agent Orange victims.

In addition, USIP will host seminars and talks on Vietnam-US relations, representing a significant opportunity to promote the advancements in bilateral relations, particularly in implementing specific commitments following the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.