Honouring the value of peace, shaping a sustainable future

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong extended a cordial invitation to all countries to attend the opening ceremony for signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Ha Noi on October 25. He affirmed that Viet Nam is actively preparing to assume the role of President of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 2026, and at the same time called on countries to support Viet Nam’s candidacy for membership of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term and for election as Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026–2036 term.

A highlight of President Luong Cuong’s working visit was the grand reception celebrating the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam’s National Day, hosted by the President and his spouse. In his welcome remarks, President Luong Cuong recalled that 80 years ago, on September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, solemnly proclaiming to the world the birth of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, ushering in a new era of independence and freedom for the Vietnamese people.

The President affirmed that with indomitable will, confidence, creativity, and strong unity of the entire nation, Viet Nam has overcome countless hardships and challenges, resolutely fought to safeguard independence, freedom, and national reunification, and advanced towards socialism for the goals of rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, and civilisation.

Assessing Viet Nam’s relations with the United Nations and the United States, the President said that relations with the UN are a vivid example of cooperation and partnership; while those with the US are testament to the spirit of putting the past behind, overcoming differences, and looking towards the future, so that today the two sides have become comprehensive strategic partners for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, based on genuine understanding and mutual respect.

In a world full of upheavals, Viet Nam will always remain steadfast in supporting multilateralism, the UN Charter and international law, settling disputes and differences by peaceful means; and will consistently safeguard national interests.

Congratulating Viet Nam on this historic milestone, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, stated that over the past eight decades, Viet Nam has risen from colonial rule to become the modern and prosperous nation it is today, built on a long history and rich cultural traditions, adding that Viet Nam is now a modern, dynamic society, and a leading country in the region.

Vietnamese people have charted their own path of genuine independence and can take pride in the achievements gained, despite the many difficulties on the road to success.

On the sidelines of the High-Level General Debate of the 80th UN General Assembly, President Luong Cuong met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The President expressed support for UN reform and emphasised that countries must play a leading role in this process, engaging in thorough discussions to ensure a comprehensive and transparent reform.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his special affection and strong support for Viet Nam; extended warm regards to the leaders of the Party and State of Viet Nam; and said he looked forward to his official visit to Viet Nam at the end of October 2025. Sharing his admiration for Viet Nam’s socio-economic achievements and its rising international standing, he affirmed that Viet Nam is an active member of the UN and a pillar of today’s multipolar world, adding that emerging economies, including Viet Nam, deserve a greater voice, greater representation, and a greater role in the global governance system.

Within the framework of the High-Level General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, combined with bilateral activities in the United States, State President Luong Cuong held meetings with the President of Paraguay, the Chancellor of Austria, and the President of Tajikistan, among others.

Viet Nam–US: Building a new era of cooperation, development and mutual respect

During the visit, President Luong Cuong received Senator Chris Coons, Senior Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Congressman Brian Mast, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Congresswoman Young Kim, Chairwoman of the Indo-Pacific Subcommittee. At the meetings, the President expressed his delight at the robust development of Viet Nam–US relations, particularly since the two countries established the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023. He affirmed that Viet Nam welcomes tangible results in the implementation of this framework, stressing the country’s commitment to building an independent, self-reliant economy that is deeply integrated into the global system.

Viet Nam–US relations stand as a typical model in international affairs, demonstrating that with determination, trust, mutual respect and shared interests, nations can overcome a painful past to build a future of cooperation and friendship, bringing benefits to both peoples and contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and beyond.

The meetings took place in a sincere, open and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the determination of both sides to further deepen the Viet Nam–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

President Luong Cuong also received Lieutenant Governor of Washington Denny Heck. He affirmed that one of the key objectives of this visit was to promote and further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US. Stressing the considerable potential for expanded cooperation in many sectors, he suggested both sides maintain the momentum through increased exchanges of delegations and contacts at all levels; facilitation of trade and investment; and enhanced collaboration in science and technology, artificial intelligence, logistics, clean energy, and deep-water ports, as well as promoting cooperation between Washington State and Ho Chi Minh City.

The President also welcomed a delegation of Oregon legislators, led by Representative Daniel Loc Nguyen, Chair of the House Committee on Economic Development. Describing Oregon as the “Silicon Forest”, one of the US’s leading hubs for science, high technology, semiconductors and renewable energy, he emphasised that Oregon is an important partner for Viet Nam in advancing cooperation towards achieving high and sustainable economic growth.

The President affirmed that Viet Nam welcomes and stands ready to create the most favourable conditions for Oregon’s businesses and educational institutions to expand cooperation, investment, research and development in Viet Nam. He called on Representative Daniel Nguyen and the delegation to continue supporting the Viet Nam–US relationship and to step up cooperation in trade, science and technology, and innovation.

The Oregon legislators pledged to continue backing the expansion of cooperative ties with Viet Nam, exploring the possibility of organising trade promotion programmes, academic exchanges and people-to-people contacts, as well as hosting Vietnamese delegations at various levels in Oregon in the near future.

President Luong Cuong attended a roundtable with US businesses, joined by leaders and representatives from some of the world’s leading corporations, including Vantive, Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Warburg Pincus, The Asia Group, Excel Services Corporation, Atlas Air, Meta, among others. On this occasion, President Luong Cuong also met with the Chief Executive Officer of Warburg Pincus and Jeffrey David Perlman, Chairman of the US-ASEAN Business Council.

At the roundtable, the President called on the US business community to seize opportunities, expand their presence and make larger, deeper investments in Viet Nam in order to jointly create a new era of promising and sustainable cooperation. He reaffirmed that the State of Viet Nam is committed to creating the most favourable conditions for US investors to feel confident in choosing Viet Nam as a long-term destination, working together to build a prosperous and sustainable future.

Meeting with Viet Nam–US veterans, President Luong Cuong said that the Vietnamese people, with compassion and magnanimity, have chosen to set aside a painful past and look towards the future; to forgive, but not to forget; trusting that future generations of Viet Nam and the US will together build an era of peace, cooperation, development and mutual respect. Over the past half-century, hundreds of search and excavation missions have been carried out, helping return thousands of relics and remains of US service members to their homeland.

The story of healing and reconciliation between Viet Nam and the US is vivid proof of how powerful the spirit of tolerance can be, and how it can break through even the deepest divides. Both Viet Nam and the US have come to realise that no hatred is eternal and no wound is beyond healing, if we open our hearts and look forward.

At the gathering, veterans from both Viet Nam and the US shared stories of the past from both sides, their journeys of overcoming the scars of war, and their aspirations to set aside grievances, honour the past and look towards a brighter future. They also expressed the hope that reconciliation and compassion would spread more widely among the governments and peoples of the two nations, based on mutual respect, equality, understanding and goodwill.

President Luong Cuong also met with long-time friends and partners, progressive members of the US public. The event brought together a wide range of friends from across US states, representing thousands of US citizens with a deep affection for Viet Nam—those who supported and stood by Viet Nam in its struggle for independence and national reunification, helped address the consequences of war, promoted the normalisation and growth of Viet Nam–US relations, and continued to accompany Viet Nam in its nation-building and development today.

The Party, State and people of Viet Nam always remember and deeply appreciate the friendship, valuable assistance and support given by US friends and peace-loving citizens to the Vietnamese people during their struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in today’s cause of nation-building and defence.

With the spirit of “Putting aside the past, overcoming differences, looking to the future”, and after 30 years of diplomatic relations, the President highlighted that Viet Nam–US ties have made remarkable progress, with Viet Nam becoming one of the US’s important trading partners. The elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development in September 2023 marked a historic milestone, making the Viet Nam–US relationship a model of reconciliation in international relations.

Within this new framework, people-to-people diplomacy has become a key pillar of Viet Nam–US relations, serving as a solid social foundation, both a catalyst and a trust-building force, connecting hearts and fostering stronger ties between the two nations.