A brief overview of Vietnam-US relations

Since Vietnam and the United States normalized relations, bilateral relations have developed positively in many areas.

At the invitation of President Barack Obama of the United States of America, President Truong Tan Sang of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and his wife will pay an official visit to the United States from July 24-26. This is President Truong Tan Sang's first official visit to the United States, marking an important milestone in bilateral relations; it is an opportunity for leaders of both countries to exchange views on major directions to promote the development of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The President's visit aims to further implement the foreign policy guidelines of the 11th Party Congress Resolution and enhance Vietnam's position in the region and in relations with major countries around the world, including the United States; to promote Vietnam-US relations, especially in Vietnam's priority areas such as economics, trade, expanding export markets, attracting investment, science, and technology; and to have frank and constructive exchanges, expressing Vietnam's stance on issues in bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

President Truong Tan Sang met with US President Barack Obama on the occasion of attending the Trans-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) Summit in November 2011 (Photo: VOV)

Since Vietnam and the United States normalized relations, in the spirit of "setting aside the past and looking towards the future," bilateral relations have developed positively in many areas. Both sides have agreed to build a partnership that is "positive, friendly, constructive, multifaceted, mutually respectful, and mutually beneficial." The President's visit takes place at a time when cooperation between Vietnam and the United States continues to be promoted, especially in the areas of economy, trade, investment, science and technology, and education.

In terms of politics and diplomacy, the two sides have conducted five high-level visits. On the US side, these included visits to Vietnam by President Bill Clinton (2000) and President George Bush (2006). On the Vietnamese side, these included visits to the US by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (2005), President Nguyen Minh Triet (2007), and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (2008). Since 2008, the two countries have established an annual dialogue mechanism on political, security, and defense matters. In addition, both sides continue to maintain and promote exchanges of delegations at the ministerial, departmental, and agency levels.

Economically, since 2005, the United States has become Vietnam's largest export market. Bilateral trade turnover has continuously increased in recent years. As of May 2013, total US direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam reached $10.5 billion across 658 projects; bilateral trade turnover exceeded $11 billion. Currently, many US companies are operating in Vietnam, including large companies with long-term, stable investments.

Security and defense relations between Vietnam and the United States have also been gradually strengthened. Since 2010, the two sides have conducted defense policy dialogues at the deputy ministerial level. In 2011, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting bilateral defense cooperation. Vietnam continues to participate in English language training programs, military medical cooperation, maintains annual visits by US Navy ships to Vietnamese ports, and allows the Pacific Command to carry out several humanitarian assistance programs in localities. The two sides continue to cooperate in search and rescue operations.

In the field of science and technology, Vietnam and the United States have established a Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation. The two sides have signed a cooperation agreement and numerous other agreements in several areas such as nuclear energy, climate change, oceanography, and space technology.

In terms of educational cooperation, there are currently approximately 16,000 Vietnamese students, trainees, and interns studying in the United States. The Ministries of Education and Training of both countries have signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing an Education Task Force to promote higher education cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding democracy, human rights, and religious freedom: These are issues where the two countries still have many differences. However, both sides advocate for dialogue to foster understanding and narrow disagreements; both sides continue to maintain annual dialogues on human rights.

President Truong Tan Sang's visit to the United States demonstrates the independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy of the Party and State of Vietnam, focusing on multilateralism, diversification of relations, and proactive and positive international integration. It reflects Vietnam's desire to develop relations with member states of the United Nations Security Council and with other countries and international organizations, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, serving the cause of national construction and defense.

According to (vov.vn) - LT