Vietnam, US hold 12th Political, Security, Defence Dialogue
The 12th Vietnam-US Political, Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Washington D.C on March 30 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc (R) and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis. (Photo: VNA)
Washington D.C (VNA) – The 12th Vietnam-US Political,Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Washington D.C on March 30 under theco-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis.
At the event, the two sides expressed their delight at the extensiveand practical development of the two countries’ relations in the bilateral,regional and international aspects based on the principle of respectingindependence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and political institutionsof each other.
Ngoc affirmed that Vietnam always considers the US as one ofits most important partners, while Lewis reaffirmed that the US consistentlysupports a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam.
The two sides emphasised the importance of bilateral meetings,consultations and delegation exchanges for the process of building trust andmutual understanding, and promoting cooperation and intertwined interestsbetween Vietnam and the US. They also affirmed that they will maintain frank,constructive and regular dialogues on controversial issues.
The officials recognised the progress of bilateral cooperationin the fields of defence and security, law enforcement and settlement ofpost-war consequences; while agreeing to continue developing bilateraldefence ties at a stable pace, in line with the interests, conditions andpolicies of each country, and to expand cooperation in cyber-security, fighting trans-national crimes, and participation in UN peace-keeping missions.
The two sides shared the determination to maintaincooperation in clearing mines and explosives, decontaminating dioxin, supportingwar-affected people in Vietnam, and searching the two countries’ soldiers missingin the war. Representatives of the US side reaffirmed their commitments tocontinue assisting Vietnam in improving its maritime capacity, law enforcementand identification of remains of Vietnamese soldiers through training andequipment transfer.
An overview of the 12th Vietnam-US Political, Security and Defence Dialogue. (Photo: VNA)
The two sides discussed several international and regionalissues of mutual concern, and stressed the importance of ensuring the rule oflaw, freedom and safety of navigation and aviation, and peaceful settlement ofdisputes on the basis of international law, without the threat or use of force.The US side affirmed its backing for ASEAN's consensus and central role in theregional security architecture.
The two sides agreed on the need to implement creativeand practical measures to promote the Mekong-US Partnership in the comingtime.
On the sidelines of the dialogue, Ngoc haddiscussions with leaders of the US Department of State, Department of Defence,and National Security Council, and some parliamentarians and advisers of the Congress,and representatives of US enterprises.
These meetings contributed to theimplementation of the outcomes of the high-level phone talks on March 29 between PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden, and promotion of the bilateral agenda this year as the two countries are celebrating the 10th founding anniversary of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023)./.
Deputy spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang has said Vietnam wishes and stays ready to cooperate with US President Joe Biden's administration to continue deepening bilateral ties in an effective and sustainable manner, for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh has affirmed the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of always considering the US one of the top important partners.
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.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc (R) and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis. (Photo: VNA) 
An overview of the 12th Vietnam-US Political, Security and Defence Dialogue. (Photo: VNA) 
