The sixth Vietnam-US Defence Policy Dialogue took place in Washington D.C. during Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh’s visit to the US from September 29 to October 2.
Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Amy Searight (Source: VNA)
The sixth Vietnam-US Defence Policy Dialogue took place in Washington D.C. during Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh’s visit to the US from September 29 to October 2.
At the event, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia Amy Searight expressed her delight at the development of the two countries’ relations and their defence ties in particular, affirming that defence cooperation has been effectively promoted within the framework of the 2011 memorandum of understanding (MoU) on boosting bilateral defence cooperation.
Mentioning the Asia-Pacific situation, Searight said that the situation is complicated. Emerging sovereignty disputes as well as actions and claims that go against international law are worrying nations both within and outside the region.
She confirmed the US’s anticipation that all disputes would be addressed through peaceful means and that any actions that run counter to international law would desist.
Regarding bilateral defence ties, she spoke of both sides’ efforts to intensify cooperation in the spirit of the MoU, the 2015 Joint Vision Statement on Defence Relations and other agreements signed by high-level leaders with positive results seen in handling the aftermath of war, including search for the remains of soldiers, bomb and mine clearance, dioxin detoxification, humanitarian assistance and search and rescue operations.
The two countries have also coordinated closely at multilateral forums, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), she added.
Sharing Searight’s opinions, Vinh said that the Asia-Pacific region is facing a risk of instability and conflict, which requires nations involved to exercise restraint, participate in peace talks, share viewpoints and unity at multilateral forums, work towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and avoid any actions that complicate the situation.
He appreciated the US’s responsibility and efforts to handle the consequences of war, particularly projects to address the dioxin contamination at the Da Nang airport and assess the environment at the Bien Hoa airport.
He also stressed the two countries’ results in cooperation related to UN peacekeeping operations, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Looking forward, the two sides agreed to continue developing defence relations in line with the bilateral comprehensive partnership, maintain collaboration in war aftermath settlement and peacekeeping missions, seek cooperation opportunities in the defence industry, boost the ADMM+ mechanism in a more practical manner and promote peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
On the occasion, Vinh handed over several war remembrances of US soldiers who fought in Vietnam.
During his stay in the US, the officer also met Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Christine Wormuth and Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear, among others.-VNA
US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter currently is on his official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese defence minister Phung Quang Thanh.
Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh and his US counterpart Ashton Carter agreed that defence cooperation during the past time has met the requirement of the 2011 MoU between the two countries.
Two sets of remains believed to be of US servicemen who died during the war in Vietnam were handed over to the US side at a ceremony at the Da Nang international airport on September 9.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
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.
Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Amy Searight (Source: VNA)
