Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Dr Ely Ratner co-chaired the annual Vietnam – US Defence Policy Dialogue in Washington, D.C on September 19 (local time).
At the Vietnam - US defence dialogue. (Photo: nhandan.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of National Defence SeniorLieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Dr Ely Ratner co-chaired the annual Vietnam – US DefencePolicy Dialogue inWashington, D.C on September 19 (local time).
Commending positive defence cooperation between the two countries in the pastyear, Chien and Ratner said post-war recovery cooperation has continued to be apillar and a bright spot in the bilateral relations, helping build trust andfoster mutual understanding between the two sides.
Chien took this occasion to thank the US for increasing its non-refundable aid from 183 million USD to 300 million USD for the projectto clean up dioxin-contaminated soil at the Bien Hoa Air Base, describing it an importantresource to complete the first phase of the project.
Vietnam will continue creating favourable conditions for the search for USsoldiers missing in action (MIA) as the two sides are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons, and 35years of the implementation of the joint MIA activities, Chien said.
At the event, the two sides laid stress on the important role of Vietnam andthe US in the cooperation framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+),and agreed to continue effective defence collaboration in the fields of delegationexchange at all levels, cyber security, defence industry and UN peacekeepingactivities, as well as support each other at regional and multilateral forums, especiallyADMM+, making contributions to regional and global peace, stability anddevelopment.
As Vietnam and the US will continue working together to handle post-warconsequences, Chien suggested both sides to meticulously study the signing of aMemorandum of Understanding in the field based on the joint statement on theupgrade of the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership forpeace, cooperation and sustainable development.
Chien asked the US to give further aid to Vietnam to speed up the dioxindetoxification project at the Bien Hoa Air Base, which needs an additional150-200 million USD.
Ratner said he will discuss the issue with the US Congress to seek further support for theproject.
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (R) and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Dr Ely Ratner. (Photo: nhandan.vn)
Discussing international issues of mutual concerns, Chienand Ratner spoke highly of the role and position of ASEAN as well as ASEAN-ledmechanisms, and emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom, security andsafety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.
Vietnam is persistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, multilateralisation and diversification, and has pursued a “FourNos” defence policy, Chien said, adding Vietnam supports the settlement of disputesin the East Sea via peaceful means and in line with international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.
The establishment of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development will open up a new period for the enhancement of bilateral relations across spheres, including cooperation between the two legislative bodies, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a meeting with leaders of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington D.C. on September 19.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested Vietnam and the US create breakthroughs in cooperation in science-technology, innovation, and education-training at a meeting with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Washington D.C. on September 19.
US President Joe Biden highlighted the relations between Vietnam and the US in his speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 19.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed relevant agencies of Vietnam and the US work together to complete new cooperation frameworks to lay a foundation for the two sides further promote and deepen bilateral cooperative relations, especially in the strategic fields of science-technology; innovation, green growth; sustainable and green energy transition; response to climate change; and cyber security.
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.
At the Vietnam - US defence dialogue. (Photo: nhandan.vn) 
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (R) and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Dr Ely Ratner. (Photo: nhandan.vn) 
