According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the most important events in 2005 were the 30^th anniversary of the end of the US war in Vietnam and PM Phan Van Khai’s tour of the US in late June, which captured the world’s public attention. Both sides deemed the visit necessary as it met their interests.

After the release of their joint declaration, numerous high-level meetings were held more regularly to discuss issues of common concern towards expanding bilateral relations and preventing differences from affecting the common trend of development.

During Mr Khai’s visit, accompanied businesses were active in seeking new markets to pave the way for consuming export products.

In terms of economic and trade ties, two-way trade turnover is estimated to jump to US$7 billion in 2005 from US$6.5 billion in 2004. So far, the US remains Vietnam’s largest export market. In recent times, the number of US tourists to Vietnam has experienced sharp increases. By the end of November 2005, US travellers numbered 299,442, up by 21 percent against the same period of 2004. The result was attributed to Vietnam being considered a safe destination and its secure social order and political stability.

Travel between the two countries is also more convenient after the San Francisco-HCM City direct flight was opened more than a year ago.

However, US investment in Vietnam is still modest as the country ranks 10^th among 69 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 245 projects worth US$1.4 billion. This is only the direct investment figure, but if indirect US investment through third countries is included, the figure may be US$1.7-1.8 billion.

Since 2003, US naval ships have docked as high as in Vietnamese ports at least once a year.

Vietnam signed an agreement with the US on military personnel training and dispatched a number of servicemen to the US to study foreign languages and issues of military medical services.

In May 2005, Vietnam successfully organised an Asia-Pacific military medical service conference in Hanoi in collaboration with the US. Effective bilateral co-operation has brought many aspects of the relationship to fruition. After Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan’s US visit in late 2003, the two Governments signed a co-operation protocol on drug control, which was implemented effectively in the past year and will be extended in the coming time.

Last year, Vietnam was included on the list of 15 countries participating in the US President’s global HIV/AIDS prevention programme. Vietnam is the only Asian nation included on the list. Under the programme, during the past year, the US provided Vietnam with approximately US$27.5 million, which is likely to reach US$34.5 million in the future. In a recent visit to Vietnam by the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, the country granted US$6.5 million to help Vietnam combat the bird flu epidemic.

On education, the US Government established the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) in 2002 to create opportunities for Vietnamese students to study higher education and post-graduate subjects in the areas of science and technology. The VEF annually sends around 50-70 excellent students to renowned US universities to study towards masters and doctorate degrees and will return to work in the country after accomplishing their study. The Ministry of Science and Technology has agreed to establish centres of excellence in Vietnam to create a favourable environment for these students to apply their knowledge in the national construction process.

The MIA (Missing in Action) programme also plays an important role in relations between the two countries. The programme started in 1987 and is still underway. Vietnam won plaudits for its effective co-operation with the US from the President and other senior officials. The above-mentioned positive elements added fresh impetus to improving bilateral relations.

However, the issue of most concern in bilateral relations is that the US remains one of only five foreign partners that Vietnam has not yet reached a bilateral agreement with for its admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Although President Bush and many senior leaders voiced their support for Vietnam’s entry bid, there remained pending issues before Washington is ready to sign a bilateral agreement on the issue. In addition, in its annual report in 2005, the US Department of State did not take Vietnam off its list of “countries of particular concern” (CPC).

Obviously, pending issues still exist due to differences in ideology, political systems, cultural traditions and concepts about values. Humankind has common values accepted by peoples around the world. Therefore, it is impossible to impose the values of one nation on another. It should be done instead through dialogues of mutual respect and understanding to find common ground.

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives is scheduled to visit Vietnam from January 16-18, 2006. This year, the Vietnamese people will also welcome the US President’s visit during the 2006 APEC Summit to be held in Hanoi. The visit will be of great significance as it will further reinforce US links with Vietnam, which has become an important partner of the country in the Asia Pacific region.