US Secretary of Defence pays official visit to Vietnam
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin is on an official visit to Vietnam on July 28 and 29 at the invitation of Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang.
Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang hold talks with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin hold talks in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin is on anofficial visit to Vietnam on July 28 and 29 at the invitation of VietnameseMinister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang.
After an official welcome ceremony chaired by Gen. Giang onJuly 29, the two ministers held talks, during which they appreciated theresults of bilateral defence cooperation, and said that the cooperation hasachieved practical results, that conform to the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, especially in overcoming warconsequences, addressing non-traditional security challenges, supportingVietnam in joining the United Nations peacekeeping missions, and improving thelaw enforcement at sea and military medicine.
The US official took the occasion to provide equipment toserve Vietnam’s efforts to combat the pandemic.
They agreed to continue promoting collaboration followingthe Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Defence Cooperation signed in 2011and the Joint Vision Statement on Defence Relations signed in 2015, withpriority given to the settlement of war consequences, the improvement of lawenforcement at sea, military medicine collaboration in the fight against the COVID-19pandemic and training.
The US Secretary of Defence agreed to step up the implementationof the dioxin decontamination project at Bien Hoa airport and other humanitarianprojects in Vietnam.
Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin inspect the guard of honour of the Vietnam People's Army at the welcome ceremony in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
At the talks, the two sides also exchanged views oninternational and regional issues of mutual concern, especially traditional andnon-traditional security challenges that directly affect the region. Theyaffirmed ASEAN’s central role in enhancing cooperation within the framework ofthe ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) in order to maintain an environment of peace and stability in the region and the world.
They shared views on the importance of respecting thelegitimate rights and interests of coastal states, peacefully solving disputesas well as maintaining peace stability, safety, order and freedom of aviationand navigation at seas and oceans in accordance with international law and the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The two ministers then witnessed the signing of a Memorandumof Understanding on cooperation in searching, gathering and identifying the remainsof Vietnamese martyrs.
The US Defence Secretary is scheduled to pay courtesy visitsto State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The visit will contribute to strengthening friendship andtrust between the people and armies of the two countries, and implementingdefence cooperation contents signed between the two defence ministries andagreements reached by the two nations’ high-ranking leaders, thus contributingto the framework of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership./.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc on June 23 met with Republican Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska state to discuss measures aimed at further promoting the Vietnam - US comprehensive partnership.
The US business community plays an important role in promoting economic partnership between Vietnam and the US, stated Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh at an online talks with US firms on June 30 to exchange visions, initiatives and solutions in promoting bilateral ties and supporting Vietnam in post-pandemic recovery and development.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh held phone talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on July 1 to discuss Vietnam – US ties, and international and regional issues of shared concern.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will pay an official visit to Vietnam on July 28-29 at the invitation of Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Văn Giang, spokesperson of the Vietnamese foreign ministry Le Thi Thu Hang said at the ministry's regular press conference held online on July 22.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.