Marking 30 years of the normalisation of Vietnam - US relations (July 11, 1995 – 2025), Ambassador Dung shared his insights into the future of the relations in an interview granted to Washington DC – based VOV correspondents.

VOV: Ambassador, could you evaluate the significance of this 30-year milestone in Vietnam - US relations, especially from Vietnam’s perspective? What are the key factors that have enabled the two countries to achieve such progress in bilateral ties over the past three decades?

Ambassador Dung: The 30-year milestone since the normalisation of Vietnam - US relations holds profound significance. From former foes after the war, the two countries have overcome differences to become comprehensive strategic partners, a journey that is truly rare in international relations.

For Vietnam, this achievement is the result of a consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, and deep integration for peace and development.

Vietnam - US relations have progressed over the years because both sides have built mutual trust, shared strategic interests, and committed to substantive cooperation. In my view, there are four key factors contributing to the advancement of bilateral relations. They include vision and political will from the leadership of both countries; mutual respect, especially for each other’s independence, sovereignty, and political systems; and joint efforts in addressing war legacies, such as dioxin decontamination, unexploded ordnance clearance, support for Agent Orange/dioxin victims, and the search for missing persons - all deeply humanitarian endeavours.

In addition, strong economic and trade cooperation is a key driver. Bilateral trade has increased over 200 times in the past 30 years, making Vietnam one of the US’s leading partners in ASEAN.

VOV: In your opinion, which areas of cooperation between the two countries hold the greatest potential for growth in the coming time, especially amid current regional and global uncertainties?

Ambassador Dung: Despite ongoing global and regional volatility, Vietnam - US relations have remained stable and continued to develop positively. This reflects a strategically grounded partnership that is mutually beneficial, complementary, and adaptable.

Looking ahead, the two countries can prioritise collaboration in several key areas, including economy, trade, and investment, with a focus on high technology, supply chains, agri-tech, and digital transformation. Vietnam hopes to become a trusted partner in global supply chains.

Another key area of cooperation is science, technology, and innovation, especially in emerging fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and health care. Other enduring pillars include education and high-quality workforce training, defence and security, people-to-people exchanges, and war legacy resolution.

These areas were clearly emphasised by both countries' leaders when the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023.

VOV: Marking three decades of their relationship this year, what are Vietnam’s expectations for the future of bilateral relations, and what message would you like to send to American friends?

Ambassador Dung: Over the past 30 years, Vietnam and the US have walked a long journey together, building a relationship that is unique, not only because of our shared history, but more importantly because of how both countries have chosen to move beyond that history and look toward the future.

In the years ahead, we hope to elevate this relationship even further, not just in breadth of cooperation, but in depth of understanding and mutual trust.

It is vital to build a solid social foundation for our bilateral ties – the one in which our peoples, especially the younger generations, understand each other better, learn from one another, and together create shared values.

We hope that our American friends will continue to walk with Vietnam, not only as a comprehensive strategic partner, but also as a genuine friend, sharing the aspiration for a peaceful, stable, and inclusive world.

Vietnam will remain a trustworthy and responsible partner, working with the United States to help shape a better future for the region and the world.

30 years of Vietnam-US relations normalisation: Past achievements, future prospects

Three former US ambassadors to Vietnam – Michael Michalak (2007–2011), Ted Osius (2014–2017), and Daniel Kritenbrink (2017–2021) – have gathered at a seminar in Washington D.C. to share their insightful perspectives on past achievements and future prospects of the two countries' relations.