Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have pledged to expand cooperation in trade, investment, semiconductor technology, and human resources training, among other fields, toward celebrating 30 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries next year.

The two sides made the pledge at their meeting in Hanoi on Saturday, when Secretary Blinken, on behalf of U.S. President Joe Biden and the U.S. administration, arrived to offer condolences to the government and people of Vietnam over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.  

The Party chief passed away in Hanoi on July 19 at the age of 80.

Expressing heartfelt thanks to Secretary Blinken and President Biden for their condolences, PM Chinh affirmed that the Vietnam-U.S. relations have entered a significant new phase of development thanks to the strategic vision and sound leadership of both General Secretary Trong and President Biden. 

Secretary Blinken expressed pleasure at the positive results achieved after nearly a year of implementing the two nations’ comprehensive strategic partnership, commenting that the active performance of the Vietnam-U.S. Joint Declaration and Action Plan in 2023 has brought benefits to both sides, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

As they look forward to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 2025, both the host and guest emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation, particularly in economics, trade, investment, the high-tech sector, the semiconductor industry, and training for high-quality human resources.

Emphasizing the necessity for increased collaboration in addressing the aftermath of war, PM Chinh urged the U.S. to accelerate demining efforts, clear unexploded ordnance, decontaminate dioxin hotspots, and provide support for Vietnamese individuals disabled as a result of the war.

The Vietnamese government leader told Secretary Blinken that Vietnam is committed to fully and effectively coordinating with the U.S. in search of American servicemen missing in action (MIA) during the war in Vietnam.

While discussing international and regional issues of mutual interest, PM Chinh highly appreciated Washington's comprehensive and responsible cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

He also praised the U.S.'s continued support for ASEAN’s central role as well as for the bloc and Vietnam's stance on the East Vietnam Sea issue.

Secretary Blinken reaffirmed Washington's support for a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam that expands international integration, plays an increasingly important role in ASEAN and the region, and significantly joins international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered into a comprehensive partnership in July 2013. 

Ten years later, both sides lifted their ties directly to a comprehensive strategic partnership on September 10, 2023, skipping the strategic partnership level, during U.S. President Biden's two-day official visit to Vietnam.

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