The 30-year journey of normalising and advancing relations has witnessed efforts to expand and deepen trust as well as understanding between Viet Nam and the US.

With the unwavering political determination of the leaders of both countries, alongside the tireless efforts of peace-loving people and supporters of cooperation, Viet Nam–US relations have overcome the political regime differences to write a historic story “from wartime adversaries to friends.”

Marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Viet Nam and the US are confident that bilateral ties will continue to develop effectively.

Thirty years ago, on July 11, 1995 (US time), US President Bill Clinton formally announced the normalisation of diplomatic ties with Viet Nam. Hours later on July 12 1995 (Viet Nam time), Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet echoed the declaration on behalf of Viet Nam, marking the start of a new era in bilateral relations.

Following this historic milestone, the past was set aside and a new chapter opened. The two countries’ declaration of normalisation laid a strong foundation and driving force for Viet Nam and the US to enhance cooperation across many fields - from politics, security, and the economy to culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Numerous visits by high-level leaders between the two sides have taken place. Many new milestones have been established, including the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership in 2013 and its upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ten years later.

The transition of Viet Nam and the US from confrontation to dialogue, from wartime adversaries to comprehensive strategic partners, is regarded as a model effort to overcome differences, promote peace, and foster cooperation towards the future.

Sharing with the Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, former Viet Nam Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh affirmed that the past 30 years have been a journey of continuous trust-building and enhanced mutual understanding.

Starting from one of the earliest cooperation areas—addressing war consequences, clearing unexploded ordnance in Viet Nam, assisting the disabled and victims of Agent Orange, and searching for the remains of US servicemen missing in action—the two countries have gradually built trust, nurtured relations, and respected each other’s political systems.

From strengthened political trust, cooperation expanded into other fields. A highlight in the journey of building and upgrading bilateral relations is the achievement in economic cooperation.

According to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, bilateral trade between Viet Nam and the US surged from just 500 million USD in 1995 to nearly 300 times that figure over the past three decades.

For Viet Nam, the US is a leading partner both economically and in regional and international cooperation. The US also regards Viet Nam as having a very important geostrategic role in the region, especially within ASEAN.

Regarding current US tariff issues, at the seminar “30 Years of Viet Nam-US Relations: Maintaining Momentum, Moving Towards Balanced and Sustainable Trade” organised by Tien Phong Newspaper on July 11, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, Pham Quang Vinh, observed that the current situation is complex but also presents many opportunities, serving as a driving force to enhance Viet Nam's internal capacity and increase the added value and quality of its economy in relation to the US.

Over the past three decades, despite differences and challenges, the two countries have continuously nurtured mutual understanding and established dialogue mechanisms. Whether on issues related to democracy, human rights, labour, energy, environment, security, or maritime safety, both sides have developed cooperation and dialogue frameworks.

Cooperation in science and technology, healthcare, culture, and tourism has expanded and become more substantive. Viet Nam’s continuous innovation and effective integration have also enhanced its capacity and prestige to engage in international affairs - from politics and diplomacy to economic cooperation - strongly promoting deeper relations with the US.

With the spirit of “setting aside the past, overcoming differences, promoting commonalities, and looking towards the future,” the sincere, frank, and constructive dialogue, and the solid foundation developed over the three decades, Viet Nam and the US face great opportunities to expand strategic cooperation in the coming period.

US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc Knapper affirmed that the two countries have many pillars of cooperation, among which economic relations are very important. Viet Nam is the US’ 8th largest trading partner, and the US is Viet Nam’s largest export market.

Last May, the US hosted the SelectUSA Investment Summit, welcoming a Viet Nam delegation of over 100 participants. The size of the delegation reflects Viet Nam’s strong commitment to promoting bilateral investment and trade cooperation with the US.

Beyond the economy, cooperation in education, healthcare, and defence also remains a key pillar of bilateral relations.

US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc Knapper

Highlighting high-tech cooperation, Ambassador Knapper emphasised that the joint leaders’ statement on elevating US – Viet Nam relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023 is a historic achievement, in which both sides stressed cooperation in high technology, especially the semiconductor industry. Both countries recognise that Viet Nam is fully capable and ready to advance within the global value chain of high-tech manufacturing.

US enterprises have committed to training and upskilling Viet Nam’s workforce to meet labour demands, aiming to help Viet Nam play a larger and more important role in the high-tech value chain and realise its potential to become a regional and global semiconductor hub.

Viet Nam stands on the threshold of a new development phase. Recent policies and reforms in Viet Nam have attracted great interest from US business circles, who demonstrate their increasing confidence in Viet Nam as a reliable partner, a market, and a production hub—especially for high-tech manufacturing.

According to Ambassador Knapper, Viet Nam’s administrative reorganisation and the establishment of a two-tier local government model will promote more efficient decision-making, licensing, and approval of investment projects. Additionally, the role of the private sector, the importance of high technology, and the promotion of digital infrastructure will further enhance Viet Nam’s appeal as an investment and trade destination.

While praising Viet Nam’s proactive and positive stance in recent discussions on tariffs and trade relations with the US, Ambassador Knapper affirmed that high-level phone talks between General Secretary To Lam and President Donald Trump, as well as exchanges between senior delegations of both countries, demonstrate that Viet Nam–US relations are at their best stage.

The US hopes bilateral relations will continue to develop strongly, bringing benefits to the peoples of both nations.

The world is undergoing profound changes. While the US adjusts its strategic priorities, Viet Nam is moving towards a new era—the era of national rise. Viet Nam–US trade relations have achieved significant successes, but there remains great untapped potential in investment.

According to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, leveraging additional potential from the US in investment, science and technology cooperation, education, and innovation, as well as participating in US innovation and technology supply chains, will provide Viet Nam with more resources for development.

Moreover, promoting cooperation in addressing war legacies remains a way for the two countries to continue healing “the wounds of the past,” increasing understanding and building mutual trust.

Pham Quang Vinh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US

The war ended 50 years ago. The 30-year journey of normalising and advancing relations has witnessed efforts to expand and deepen trust and understanding between Viet Nam and the US.

Strengthening respect and strategic trust, political commitment from senior leaders, alongside active support from business communities, localities, and the peoples of both countries, are key factors for the two nations to continue writing a successful story in this new era of cooperation.