VP Harris reaffirms US commitment to support Vietnam in combating COVID-19

At the meeting, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam persists with its unwavering external policy of independence and self-reliance, and is ready to be a reliable partner, making positive contributions to peace, stability and development in the world.

Vietnam always regards the US as one of its top partners. The nation aspires to work together the US in a constant effort to strengthen the comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership on the basis of respect for each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and institutions, Phuc told his guest.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese State leader thanked US President Joe Biden for donating 5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam through the COVAX mechanism. This demonstrates the valuable support the US has given to the Southeast Asian nation amid the current complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two leaders agreed to step up cooperative ties in a multitude of fields, especially in economics, trade, security, defence, settlement of the consequences of war, health care, and technology.

President Phuc emphasized the importance of the bilateral economic and trade system, while praising both sides for having reached agreements on the monetary policy.

He welcomed the US' decision to host the APEC Summit 2023, saying that Vietnam will work hand in hand with the US towards a successful year of APEC 2023.

The Vice PV suggested the two sides work closely to support their businesses, especially major groups, to continue maintaining production supply chains and avoid any interruptions due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harris also thanked Vietnam for helping the US in searching for American servicemen missing in the war.

President Phuc said he was happy to hear about the launch of a Southeast Asia Regional Office of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Hanoi and hailed the US’s commitment to increase the budget for overcoming war consequences.

Host and guest welcomed the official signing of a land lease contract for the construction of the new headquarters of the US Embassy in Hanoi and a contract to lease property in Washington D.C. as the new headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in the US.

President Phuc praised the US for ramping up cooperation with the region and supporting the intra-bloc solidarity and central role of ASEAN. He proposed the US enhance collaboration with ASEAN as well as promote the ASEAN-US strategic partnership, the US-Mekong partnership, and the Friends of the Lower Mekong.

Both sides consented to bolster cooperation within the frameworks of the United Nations as well as other multilateral forums; and support the guaranteeing of security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful settlement of all disputes in the East Sea on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the early finalisation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law.

President Phuc used the occasion to convey the regards of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to US President Joe Biden. The Vietnamese Party and State leaders invited the US President to visit Vietnam in the time ahead.