HCMC – U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has underscored commitments to Vietnam during his separate meetings in Hanoi City with Party General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong on November 2.
At both meetings, on behalf of the U.S. government, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth extended condolences over the losses caused by recent flooding in Vietnam’s northern and north-central provinces.
Supporting Vietnam’s defense industry modernization
While receiving U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Party General Secretary To Lam hailed Hegseth’s visit as the two countries commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
On this occasion, the Party leader conveyed his regards to U.S. President Donald Trump and invited the President and First Lady to visit Vietnam soon.
Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy, emphasizing that the U.S. remains one of its top important partners and expressing the wish to further deepen bilateral cooperation across various fields.
Praising President Donald Trump’s efforts to promote peace and resolve global conflicts, Lam affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to play an active and responsible role as a bridge for peace and dialogue in addressing regional and international issues.
He also commended the results of the talks between Secretary Hegseth and Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, noting that defense cooperation has become one of the key pillars of the bilateral relationship.
He expressed his hope that both sides would continue to advance substantive defense cooperation based on respect for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as Vietnam’s foreign policy and defense principles, contributing to greater strategic trust and peace and stability in the region.
He also proposed that the U.S. continue to support and expand cooperation with Vietnam in war legacy remediation, including dioxin decontamination, unexploded ordnance clearance, assistance to people with disabilities, and the search and identification of remains of missing Vietnamese soldiers.
According to him, these activities carry deep humanitarian significance and form an essential foundation for healing the wounds of war, strengthening goodwill and trust, and opening a future of long-term cooperation between the two nations.
For his part, Secretary Hegseth expressed his honor to visit Vietnam—a country with an increasingly important role in the Indo-Pacific region.
He conveyed President Donald Trump’s greetings to Party General Secretary To Lam and appreciated the Party leader’s role and leadership in shaping the recent development of U.S.-Vietnam relations.
Secretary Hegseth stressed that the U.S. values the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and supports a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam.
He affirmed that the U.S. seeks to enhance cooperation both bilaterally and regionally, particularly in combating transnational crime, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, officer training, United Nations peacekeeping, and disaster response.
The Pentagon chief pledged continued U.S. support for Vietnam in capacity building, defense industry modernization, and expanding training programs for high-quality human resources.
He also recognized significant achievements in war legacy cooperation, including dioxin cleanup projects at Bien Hoa and Danang airports, calling them vivid examples of reconciliation and collaboration between the two nations.
Secretary Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. Department of War will continue working closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to complete ongoing projects and explore new cooperation areas based on mutual needs and capabilities.
Both sides agreed that maintaining high-level exchanges and regular dialogues between their defense ministries plays a vital role in strengthening trust and deepening bilateral relations.
President Luong Cuong meets Secretary Hegseth
Also on November 2, State President Luong Cuong met with Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Cuong reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy and its “Four No’s” defense principle. He praised the outcomes of Secretary Hegseth’s talks with Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang.
He praised both sides’ agreement to enhance dialogue, consultations, and exchanges to promote defense cooperation, particularly in maritime security, humanitarian aid, U.N. peacekeeping, defense industry, technology transfer, and human resource training.
He suggested that the U.S. coordinate to arrange President Donald Trump’s visit to Vietnam soon, viewing it as a historic milestone that would further drive strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Secretary Hegseth commended Vietnam’s growing role and stature in the region and the world, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in defense cooperation.
On regional issues, both sides reaffirmed their support for ASEAN’s common position on the East Sea, emphasizing the principles of ensuring freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, and resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Advancing the 2025 defense cooperation agenda
As part of Vietnam’s 2025 defense diplomacy program, the U.S. Secretary of War’s delegation is on an official visit to Vietnam from November 2 to 3, 2025.
On the afternoon of November 2, at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Hanoi, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defense, chaired a welcoming ceremony for Secretary Pete Hegseth and his delegation.
Following the ceremony, the two sides held talks.
General Phan Van Giang emphasized that Secretary Hegseth’s visit comes at a meaningful time as the two countries celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations (1995–2025), contributing to further promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development between Vietnam and the United States, as well as bilateral defense ties.
The two sides agreed that defense cooperation has been implemented in line with high-level directives and existing agreements, including the 2011 memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation promotion and the 2024 Updated Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-U.S. Defense Relations, achieving many positive results in delegation exchanges, dialogues, training, U.N. peacekeeping, military medicine, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense industry collaboration.
Minister Giang expressed gratitude for the U.S. Department of War’s continued support in English language and professional training, particularly in U.N. peacekeeping operations, noting that U.S.-supplied equipment and facilities have significantly enhanced Vietnam’s peacekeeping capabilities.
Minister Giang urged the U.S. to continue assisting Vietnam in high-quality human resource training and cybersecurity cooperation, and invited U.S. officers to study Vietnamese and attend Vietnam’s International Defense Officers Course.
He also encouraged further U.S. support for ordnance clearance, dioxin cleanup, and the additional US$130 million grant for Bien Hoa.
In his remarks, Secretary Hegseth thanked Vietnam for the warm reception and affirmed that his visit reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral defense relationship, consistent with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
He emphasized that war legacy remediation remains a top priority in bilateral defense cooperation, contributing to mutual trust between the two governments, militaries, and peoples. The U.S., he said, supports a peaceful, prosperous Vietnam and is committed to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world.
