Vietnam regards US as leading partner in foreign policy: President
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Hanoi on July 29, during which the former affirmed that Vietnam always considers the US as a leading partner in its foreign policy and wants to further develop bilateral cooperative ties in areas of mutual interest.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts a reception for US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Hanoi on July 29 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen XuanPhuc hosted a reception for US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin inHanoi on July 29, during which the former affirmed that Vietnam alwaysconsiders the US as a leading partner in its foreign policy and wants tofurther develop bilateral cooperative ties in areas of mutual interest.
The Vietnamese leader thanked the US forgiving valuable and timely support to Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially its donation of 5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Vietnam hopes to receive more assistance fromthe US in accessing more COVID-19 vaccine supplies to speed up thecountry’s vaccination campaign, he said
President Phuc underlined the significance ofpromoting defence cooperation between the two countries, adding thatVietnam expects close coordination from the US in settling war aftermath,MIA search, bomb and mine clearance, Agent Orange/dioxin detoxification as wellas search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief and disaster mitigation.
Vietnam also expects the US to assist the country in United Nations peacekeeping operations,he added.
The Vietnamese leader pledged to createoptimal conditions for the two defence ministries to fostercollaboration in areas in which both sides have demand.
Vietnam hopes that the US willfurther deepen its partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for peace and prosperity in theregion and the world, President Phuc added.
For his part, Austin said that the US wants to continue witnessing Vietnam’s prosperity and strong development, and to cooperate with Vietnamese agencies more closely and effectively in the future.
The US side will continue to partner withVietnam in developing COVID-19 vaccines, and will do its best tosupport Vietnam in pandemic prevention and control, he stated.
Austin affirmed that the US will continue tostrengthen collaboration with Vietnam in settling war aftermath and assist the Southeast Asian nation in dealing with Agent Orange/dioxin consequences,especially through the project to detoxify dioxin at Bien Hoa airport, thusbuilding and reinforcing mutual trust.
Asserting that the US and Vietnam can expandtheir cooperation to areas where the two nations hold potential, Austin proposed the two sides consider lifting bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in thefuture.
He also affirmed that the USwill continue to foster ties with ASEAN in maintaining peace and securityin the region, and commit to build astronger and better relations with countries in the region.
On the occasion, President Phuc asked Austin to convey hisregards to US President Joe Biden and expressed his hope that President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Vietnam in the coming time./.
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.
Vietnam and the US always attach great importance to their comprehensive partnership based on the respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institution, as well as a firm belief in the positive development of their bilateral relations in all fields, from politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, security-defence to people-to-people exchange.
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.
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.
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.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts a reception for US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Hanoi on July 29 (Photo: VNA) 
