U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has congratulated Vietnam on its National Day (September 2), affirming Washington's support for Vietnam to develop independently, affluently, and resiliently.

In a press statement posted on the U.S. Department of State’s official website on Sunday (U.S. time), Blinken wrote, “On behalf of the United States of America, I offer my best wishes to the people of Vietnam on your 79th National Day on September 2.”

The diplomat added that this month sees the two countries celebrate the first year of their comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a historic new phase in Hanoi-Washington cooperation. 

“In honor of the legacy of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, we recommit to respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems," Blinken said in the statement.

"We look forward to fulfilling the commitments of the comprehensive strategic partnership in areas of mutual importance, including economic cooperation, education, security, human rights, energy, environment, and health, and our shared desire for a free, open, prosperous, and peaceful Indo-Pacific Region.” 

He also expressed his excitement to jointly celebrate upcoming significant milestones, including the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 2025.

General Secretary Trong passed away on July 19 after his age-related serious illness, and his two-day state funeral was solemnly conducted in Hanoi on July 25-26, with the participation of many delegations from other countries, territories, and international organizations.

Blinken, along with a U.S. delegation sent by President Joe Biden, offered incense in tribute to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and extended condolences to the late Party leader’s spouse Ngo Thi Man at their residence in Hanoi on July 27.

Under the Party chief's leadership, the friendship and relations between the two nations continued to develop fruitfully, reaching a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in Vietnam’s international relations.

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 the comprehensive strategic partnership on September 10, 2023, skipping the strategic partnership level during President Biden’s two-day official visit to Vietnam.

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