The meeting between Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich (R) and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis in Ho Chi Minh City on October 17 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – General Ngo Xuan Lich, Minister of NationalDefence, received his US counterpart James Mattis in Ho Chi Minh City on October 17.
At the meeting, Lich applauded the US’s cooperation in dioxin decontamination inVietnam over the past time, stressing that Vietnam will focus on overcoming warconsequences, including the detoxification of dioxin contaminated areas,especially at Bien Hoa airport in the southern province of Dong Nai.
He proposed the US side actively collaborate with Vietnam in the coming time tosoon implement and complete a project on dioxin treatment at Bien Hoa airport inorder to clean up contaminated land, contributing to fostering economicdevelopment in Vietnam.
For his part, US Secretary of Defence James Mattis affirmed his commitment toenhancing bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in maritime security, humanitarianaid, disaster relief, peacekeeping missions and overcoming war consequences.
He added the outcome of this visit will lay a foundation for the US Government andCongress to continue supporting Vietnam in surmounting the post-war consequencesrelated to dioxin.
Earlier, the US Secretary of Defence visited the dioxin treatment area in BienHoa airport, where the National Steering Committee on the Settlement ofPost-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Steering Committee701) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) are jointlyimplementing a project on dioxin remediation.
Bien Hoa airport is considered as one of the dioxin hot spots in the country withabout 500,000 cubic metres of dioxin contaminated land. Since 2010, theGovernment has assigned the Ministry of National Defence to direct theimplementation of many dioxin treatment projects at the airport, including theconstruction of infrastructure to address dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airport.
The 270 billion VND (11.8 million USD) project kicked off on September 16, 2017,focusing on disarming war-time mines and bombs, building roads, zoning offdioxin contaminated areas and removing organisations and military works fromthe new detected squalid regions.
On May 11, 2018, USAID and the Air Defence – Air Force Service under theVietnamese Defence Ministry signed an agreement on non-refundable aid for environmentalremediation for dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airport. The project,estimated to cost 390 million USD, will complete within 10 years.-VNA
Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, hosted a reception on August 20 for Commanding General of the US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) Gen. Robert B. Brown.
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Huynh Cach Mang on August 29 visited the US Centre in the city to pay tribute to US Senator John Sidney McCain III and write in the funeral book in memory of the deceased.
Vietnamese and American veteran pilots, who were once enemies of each other in the air during the anti-US war, reunited in Hanoi on October 3 for the third time.
Vietnam and the US convened a defence policy dialogue in Hanoi on October 4, discussing measures to enhance the effectiveness of bilateral defence cooperation.
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.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço met with the press right after concluding their talks and witnessing the signing of seven cooperation agreements between the two countries in Luanda on August 7.
State President Luong Cuong stressed the fraternal ties between Vietnam and Angola as a shared invaluable asset. It serves as a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new phase of development, further foster political trust and mutual support between the two Parties and States, and deepen the solidarity and mutual understanding between their people.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
The robust collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Japan’s National Diet, particularly between the two nations’ parliamentary friendship groups, is a hallmark of bilateral relations, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
The meeting between Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich (R) and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis in Ho Chi Minh City on October 17 (Photo: VNA) 
