Full text of Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam - United States relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The following is the full text of the Joint Statement:

On September 10, 2023, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the United States Joseph R. Biden met and held talks in Hanoi, Vietnam. The two leaders welcomed a new historic period of bilateral friendship and cooperation with the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. The United States supports a strong, independent, prosperous, and self-reliant Vietnam.

Ten years after President Truong Tan Sang and President Barack Obama established the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership, the two countries have made significant progress in enhancing mutual understanding, building trust, and promoting cooperation in all areas within the framework of the Comprehensive Partnership. Within the framework of this new relationship, the two leaders emphasized the fundamental principles guiding the Vietnam-US relationship, including respect for the United Nations Charter, international law, and respect for each other's political systems, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Vietnam and the United States will continue to deepen cooperation in the following areas to ensure the interests of the two peoples, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world.

POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

The two leaders emphasized the need to further deepen political and diplomatic relations and will promote delegation exchanges and regular contacts at all levels to enhance mutual understanding and build and consolidate political trust. The two leaders supported the enhancement of the effectiveness of existing dialogue mechanisms and intended to establish an annual dialogue mechanism between the Vietnamese Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State. The two leaders wished to further promote relations between political parties and legislative bodies of the two countries, including encouraging dialogue, exchange and discussion on each side's priorities and practical experiences. The two leaders will direct their respective government agencies to coordinate and effectively implement the cooperation programs agreed upon by both sides. The two countries affirmed to continue maintaining favorable conditions to complete the construction of diplomatic and consular headquarters, as well as ensure the appropriate number of personnel at representative agencies on the basis of compliance with international conventions to which the two countries are members, bilateral agreements between Vietnam and the United States as well as the laws of each country.

ECONOMIC - TRADE - INVESTMENT COOPERATION

The two leaders reaffirmed that economic, trade, and investment cooperation and inclusive economic growth based on innovation are the core foundation and important driving force of the bilateral relationship. They agreed to further facilitate and open their markets for each other’s goods and services, support trade, economic policies, and regulatory measures to achieve these goals, and jointly address issues such as barriers to market access through the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. The United States welcomed Vietnam’s significant progress in its market-based economic reforms, and affirmed its enthusiasm and commitment to a broad, robust, and constructive engagement in support of Vietnam’s transition to a market economy and its eventual recognition as a market economy under U.S. law. On September 8, 2023, the United States received a formal request from Vietnam requesting that the United States consider granting Vietnam market economy status. The United States will promptly consider this request from Vietnam in accordance with the law. The United States appreciates Vietnam's ongoing efforts to continue to modernize and further enhance the transparency of Vietnam's monetary and exchange rate policy framework, promote macroeconomic stability, and ensure the safety and soundness of the banking system.

The two leaders supported the continued strengthening of a non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) playing a pivotal role. The two sides welcomed the recent progress and looked forward to further significant progress on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in the coming time, bringing practical benefits to the economies, workers, households and businesses of the two countries and the entire region.

The two leaders noted the importance of respecting internationally recognized workers’ rights based on the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The two leaders also intend to promote cooperation on intellectual property rights protection and aviation, including negotiations to amend the Vietnam-US Air Transport Agreement in accordance with Open Skies principles.

The United States is committed to increasing support for Vietnam in manufacturing, high-quality physical and digital infrastructure, equitable energy transition, sustainable and smart agriculture, and Vietnam’s deep and sustainable participation in regional and global supply chains, including with a focus on Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. To that end, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will continue to provide financing for private sector projects in Vietnam in the areas of infrastructure, climate and energy efficiency, health care, and small businesses, including climate-sensitive and women-owned businesses.

DIGITAL COOPERATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION

Vietnam and the United States decided to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, and digital innovation, considering this a new breakthrough in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The United States affirmed its commitment to increasing support for Vietnam in training and developing a high-tech workforce. Recognizing Vietnam's great potential to become a key country in the semiconductor industry, the two leaders supported the rapid development of the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam and the two sides will actively coordinate to enhance Vietnam's position in the global semiconductor supply chain. Accordingly, Vietnam and the United States announced the launch of human resource development initiatives in the semiconductor field, in which the US Government will provide an initial seed grant of $2 million, along with future support from the Vietnamese Government and the private sector.

Vietnam and the United States agreed to cooperate comprehensively to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

The two leaders welcomed the development of secure and reliable digital infrastructure in Vietnam, affirming that this process has the potential to bring new opportunities to enhance the capacity of Vietnam’s innovation community in the digital sector, thereby promoting the development of Vietnam’s digital economy. These efforts will be directed towards supporting the development of open and interoperable networks and, upon notification to the US Congress, consider establishing an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) in Vietnam, secure 5G networks, and the adoption of emerging technologies to provide digital upskilling opportunities for Vietnam’s innovation community.

The two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining cooperation between leading academic institutions of Vietnam and the United States, including through collaborative research initiatives, training courses, expert exchanges, and exchange programs focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING COOPERATION

The United States announced specific plans to support Vietnam in training high-quality human resources, helping Vietnam achieve its development goals in the coming time. To date, there are nearly 30,000 Vietnamese students studying in the United States and the United States encourages educational institutions to welcome more Vietnamese students. The two leaders congratulated the launch of the Peace Corps Program in Vietnam and the 31st anniversary of the Fulbright Vietnam Program. The two sides welcomed the activities of Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) and its increasingly promoting its role as a regional center for public policy education. The two leaders also recognized the urgent importance of investing in human resources, considering this an essential resource for future prosperity, security, stability and development.

Vietnam and the United States recognize that ensuring long-term prosperity can only be achieved when people of both countries have ample opportunities to learn new skills, exchange ideas, and gain international experience and understanding. Accordingly, Vietnam and the United States encourage the opening of universities and laboratories of both countries to share good practices, scientific advances, and learning opportunities, focusing on supporting an increasing number of Vietnamese students, teachers, scholars, and researchers to participate in education and training programs in the United States. Vietnam also welcomes an increasing number of U.S. students, scholars, and professors to study, conduct research, and teach at Vietnamese universities and encourages U.S. universities to establish partnerships with Vietnamese universities, including opening branch campuses in Vietnam.

COOPERATION ON CLIMATE, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

The United States and Vietnam will collaborate in the Mekong and Red River Deltas, in the areas of cross-sectoral adaptation to climate change; pollution reduction; and voluntary technical assistance related to modernizing power transmission infrastructure, integrating renewable energy, developing climate markets, energy storage solutions, and improving the regulatory framework for a timely and equitable energy transition. The leaders noted the importance of cooperation between the two countries and with non-governmental experts to promote low-emission, climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity conservation, pollution reduction, and resilience of vulnerable communities, including disaster preparedness efforts. The United States supports Vietnam’s efforts to increase clean energy production.

President Biden welcomed Vietnam’s climate commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), as well as its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed the United States’ contribution in mobilizing public finance and private sector contributions to help Vietnam implement JETP and working with the international community to ensure effective implementation of JETP while ensuring national energy sovereignty, security, and solvency. The United States is committed to providing both financial support and advanced technology to help Vietnam implement its international climate commitments. Vietnam welcomes projects funded by international financial institutions, including the World Bank, in the areas of climate change response, energy transition, green growth, and renewable energy infrastructure.

The two sides highly appreciated the work of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Vietnam over the past 25 years and welcomed the establishment of a CDC Regional Office in Hanoi in 2021 as well as the plan to establish a National CDC Center in Vietnam. The two leaders acknowledged the contributions of cooperation between the two countries in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and affirmed that they will strengthen coordination to ensure health security such as preventing, detecting and responding to pandemics and other global epidemic risks. The two leaders affirmed the importance of cooperation in addressing the threat of epidemics caused by human-animal contact, continuing to expand vaccination, and supporting public health activities such as training human resources in laboratory science and public health (One Health). The United States affirmed its support for HIV and tuberculosis prevention and control programs through support for Vietnam's key health facilities such as Bach Mai Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital to fully and reliably control the HIV epidemic and eliminate tuberculosis by 2030, consistent with Vietnam's global commitments and national programs. The United States supports Vietnam's efforts to develop its pharmaceutical industry to enhance global health security cooperation. Accordingly, the United States is ready to enhance cooperation to increase the compatibility of regulations, thereby helping Vietnam play an active role in the regional and international health supply chain.

COOPERATION TO OVERCOME THE CONSEQUENCES OF WAR

The two leaders welcomed the close cooperation between Vietnam and the United States in overcoming the consequences of war, considering this a priority in bilateral relations, helping to build trust and enhance mutual understanding.

Vietnam and the United States affirmed their determination to complete the decontamination of Bien Hoa airport, step up the clearance of mines and explosives; increase support for people with disabilities due to any cause; assist the Vietnam National Mine Action Center in improving its capacity, including improving coordination between the central and local levels in mine clearance work; continue to support Vietnam in searching for missing Vietnamese soldiers during the war; and increase support for Vietnam in improving its DNA testing capacity.

President Biden expressed the gratitude of the American people for Vietnam's long-standing support in searching for information and the remains of US servicemen missing in action during the war. Vietnam affirmed to continue comprehensive cooperation with the United States in searching for the remains of US servicemen missing in action during the war.

CULTURE - PEOPLE'S EXCHANGE - SPORTS - TOURISM

The two leaders welcomed the strong increase in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries; agreed to work together to promote two-way tourism, business-to-business cooperation, expert and academic exchanges, and educational opportunities. The two sides intend to enhance cooperation between US states and Vietnamese provinces and cities in a practical and effective manner, with specific programs and projects; promote relations between communities, sectors, businesses, youth, and people-to-people organizations of the two countries through delegation exchanges, joint seminars, cultural exchanges in arts, music, and sports; and coordinate the organization of commemorative activities in the relationship between the two countries.

The two leaders appreciated the great contributions of the Vietnamese community in the United States to the development of bilateral relations. President Biden affirmed that the Vietnamese American community is one of the most successful, dynamic, and creative communities in the United States.

DEFENSE - SECURITY

President Biden congratulated Vietnam on its important contributions to global peace and stability, including its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations and its provision of disaster response and search and rescue capabilities to address natural disasters around the world. The two sides intend to continue to promote the role of established dialogue and consultation mechanisms between the two countries' defense ministries as well as between other ministries and sectors; and to cooperate effectively in humanitarian and constructive efforts such as overcoming the consequences of war, military medicine, United Nations peacekeeping, maritime law enforcement and maritime security capabilities, as well as other areas of mutual interest, in accordance with signed documents and agreements between the leaders and agencies of the two countries.

The two sides stressed the importance of promoting cooperation between law enforcement and criminal justice agencies of the two countries; decided to further deepen existing cooperation in the fields of law enforcement, security and intelligence; coordinate, exchange information and share experiences to improve the effectiveness of maritime cooperation and the prevention and combat of transnational crimes, piracy, money laundering, human trafficking, illicit trafficking of narcotics and drug precursors, cybercrime and high-tech crime. The two leaders agreed to establish a Security and Law Enforcement Dialogue mechanism between relevant law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies. The two countries condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and wished to cooperate in combating terrorism and the financing of terrorist organizations, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and other relevant international agreements to which the two countries are parties.

The two leaders welcomed the enhanced cooperation to promote defense trade and defense industry, in accordance with each side's conditions, through mutually agreed cooperation mechanisms. The United States pledged to continue to support Vietnam in improving its defense self-reliance, in accordance with Vietnam's needs and established mechanisms.

PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The two leaders affirmed the importance of promoting and protecting human rights, in accordance with each country’s constitution and international commitments. The two countries agreed to continue to support the promotion and protection of human rights through frank and constructive dialogue mechanisms such as the Human Rights Dialogue and the annual Vietnam-US Labor Dialogue, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and reducing differences. The two leaders encouraged enhanced cooperation to ensure that all people, including vulnerable groups regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation, and persons with disabilities, fully enjoy their human rights. Vietnam and the United States recognize that human rights, regional stability, world peace, and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing. The two sides recognized the contributions that social and religious organizations continue to make in areas such as education, health care, and social services in both countries.

COORDINATION ON REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

Vietnam and the United States intend to enhance coordination on regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern, contributing to joint efforts to maintain peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. The two sides agreed to enhance coordination at regional and international forums such as the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), as well as other relevant ASEAN ministerial meetings. The two sides support the promotion of multilateralism, respect for international law, including the United Nations Charter, and the promotion of an open and inclusive regional architecture with ASEAN at its core. Vietnam highly appreciates the United States’ strong support for ASEAN’s centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed the United States' continued commitment to ASEAN, as demonstrated by the recent establishment of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the holding of a special ASEAN-US Summit in Washington, DC in 2022. President Biden appreciated ASEAN's achievements and reaffirmed respect for ASEAN's centrality. The two leaders appreciated Indonesia's role as ASEAN Chair in 2023 and welcomed Laos's assumption of the ASEAN Chair in 2024. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed the United States' role as host of APEC this year. President Biden looks forward to welcoming President Vo Van Thuong to San Francisco for the APEC Summit in November 2023.

The two leaders affirmed their consistent support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, without resorting to the threat or use of force, as well as freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce in the South China Sea, and respect for the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal States over their respective exclusive economic zones and continental shelves, in accordance with the international law of the sea as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). The two leaders noted the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety and reaffirmed their support for ASEAN’s efforts to achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that is consistent with international law, including UNCLOS 1982, and does not prejudice the rights of any State under international law.

The two leaders emphasized the vital importance of the Mekong subregion in maintaining stability, peace, prosperity, cooperation, and sustainable development. Transboundary cooperation and sustainable development are important as the two countries work together to address challenges and seize new opportunities, including food security and sustainable water management, supporting communities and their livelihoods, promoting economic connectivity, addressing non-traditional security issues, and collaborating on human resource development opportunities. They welcomed the Mekong-US Partnership framework and other Mekong-related mechanisms such as the Mekong River Commission and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). The two leaders agreed to work closely with other Mekong countries to expand cooperation within this framework, as well as under the Friends of the Mekong initiative.

The two leaders stressed the importance of fully implementing the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and reiterated ASEAN’s call for an immediate cessation of violence and de-escalation among relevant parties in Myanmar to create an enabling environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and promote inclusive dialogue across the country.

The two leaders discussed a number of other regional and international issues of mutual concern, agreeing that all disputes need to be resolved by peaceful means, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, ensuring the safety of people and protecting essential infrastructure for people's lives.

Vietnam and the United States reaffirmed their support for the establishment of lasting peace and complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, and called on all relevant parties to seriously and fully implement their international obligations and commitments, including relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

On the issue of Ukraine, the two leaders supported the need to establish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.

Since the normalization of bilateral relations in 1995, the Vietnam-US relationship has grown strong, profound, substantive and effective. This new chapter in the relationship between the two countries will bring the Vietnam-US partnership to a new level. Together, the two countries will realize the aspirations of their people for a bright and dynamic future, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in this important region as well as around the world./.