The Vietnamese Embassy in the US held a solemn ceremony marking the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2) at the Vietnam House in Washington, D.C on September 17.

Those attending the event included Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung; acting US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Brent Christensen; Senator Roger Marshall; Representative Seth Moulton; ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in the US; close friends and partners from the US government, business and academic communities; along with a large number of overseas Vietnamese.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung recalled the historic moment 80 years ago, when on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh declared the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), a free and independent nation, and announced to the world the Vietnamese people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. According to the ambassador, the declaration was the culmination of decades of struggle for national liberation and inspired global movements for independence and self-determination.

Ambassador Dung underscored that once among the world’s poorest agricultural nations, Vietnam now ranks 35th in the world in terms of economic scale, has become a leading destination for trade and investment, and is increasingly a key link in global supply chains. Looking ahead, the country is confident as it enters a new era towards becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed, high-income nation by 2045.

Reviewing Vietnam-US relations from former adversaries to comprehensive strategic partners, Ambassador Dung said 2025 marks four important milestones: the 80th National Day, 50 years since the end of the war in Vietnam, 30 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the US, and two years of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam is now the US’ eighth-largest trading partner, while the US is Vietnam’s second-largest.

US investment ranks among the top 10 sources of foreign direct investment in Vietnam, while Vietnamese companies are expanding their presence in the US, thereby creating jobs and helping to strengthen supply chain resilience. These flows reflect the complementary strength of the two economies and the growing strategic interests the countries share.

According to the Vietnamese diplomat, despite major changes domestically and internationally, 2025 continues to see strong momentum in Vietnam-US relations, demonstrated most clearly through sustained engagement at all levels.

According to Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung, despite major changes at home and abroad, 2025 has continued to see strong momentum in Vietnam-US relations, most evident in sustained connections at all levels.

Party General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump held two phone conversations this year, continuing frank and constructive dialogue.

In the coming days, a Vietnamese delegation led by President Luong Cuong will attend the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week in New York and hold bilateral meetings with US and international partners. Exchanges through all channels, executive, legislative, local, business and people-to-people, continue to underscore the depth and breadth of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Emphasizing that the best days of the partnership lie ahead, Ambassador Dung expressed confidence that the strong momentum in Vietnam-US relations will continue through the remainder of the commemorative year and voiced hope that the top leaders will soon meet in person.

At the ceremony, US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Brent Christensen, Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Seth Moulton delivered speeches highlighting the meaningful path of cooperation, the spirit of reconciliation and the prospects for comprehensive development in bilateral relations.

Representing the US Department of State, Christensen emphasized the strategic depth of Vietnam-US relations, from the difficult beginnings after the war to the two countries becoming comprehensive strategic partners. The relationship has undergone significant progress over the past decades. From a history of conflict to present-day cooperation, the partnership is dynamic, growing and forward-looking.

According to Christensen, joint efforts to deal with war legacies and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have paved the way for stronger economic, strategic and cultural ties. Today, with about 30,000 Vietnamese students studying across the US, Vietnam is among the six largest sources of international students, contributing more than US$1 billion to the US economy. These students return home to boost Vietnam’s dynamic growth and serve as enduring bridges between the two nations.

In his speech, Senator Roger Marshall said the upgrade of relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership demonstrates trust and shared vision. Since 2015, bilateral trade has tripled over 10 years, from US$45 billion to more than US$140 billion. Vietnam is now among the US’s top 10 trading partners, evidence of trust and future potential. Over the past two years, the partnership has yielded concrete results for both sides, such as Vietnam’s order of Boeing 737 Max aircraft and purchases of agricultural products from Kansas.

In addition, US companies such as Intel, Apple and Nike have invested billions of US dollars in Vietnam, helping diversify supply chains and making both economies stronger and more resilient, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the ceremony, Representative Seth Moulton showed his special affection given to Vietnam, calling it his favorite country for four reasons: its meaningful shared history, its people, its natural beauty and its rich cuisine. He underscored the bonds between the peoples not only in bilateral ties but also in regional and international cooperation.

As a former Marine Corps officer, Moulton said he especially values Vietnam’s efforts to heal the wounds of war, repatriate American remains and promote reconciliation. He noted that these efforts have opened a bright future for younger generations of both nations and set an example for those to come.

The celebration of Vietnam’s 80th National Day at the Vietnam House in Washington, D.C. took place in a solemn and warm atmosphere. Delegates extended their best wishes for continued success to the Vietnamese people as they confidently enter a new era of development, while expressing hopes for deeper, more comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking to the press, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung affirmed that the occasion was a meaningful opportunity to join international friends, particularly US friends, in celebrating Vietnam’s achievements and in identifying goals and plans to further strengthen ties between Vietnam and the US as well as with other countries worldwide.

Upgrade of relations to further drive Vietnam - US partnership: Ambassador

The upgrade of the Vietnam - US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development will create a new impetus and an open corridor for further promoting bilateral ties in the future, said Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung.