HCMC – Vietnam and the U.S. have great potential to further strengthen their bilateral ties, bringing greater benefits to their people and contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity, said Vietnam’s top leader To Lam.
Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended a ceremony in New York on September 22 to commemorate the first anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership and mark the upcoming 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S.
Speaking at the event, Lam highlighted the unique history of the Vietnam-U.S. relationship, describing it as a model of post-war reconciliation and relationship building.
He noted that while the two nations began their exchanges over 200 years ago, they have experienced significant ups and downs—from former enemies to becoming friends, culminating in the establishment of a comprehensive partnership in 2013.
The strengthening of Vietnam-U.S. relations is the result of decades of dedicated efforts to heal and build lasting trust, Lam emphasized. These efforts, contributed by multiple generations of leaders, administrations, parliaments, and citizens from both nations, have laid the foundation for the current strong partnership.
The Vietnamese leader acknowledged the progress achieved in the year since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He highlighted the vast potential for further deepening ties, which would bring greater benefits to the people of both nations and contribute to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.
Lam urged both countries to continue close collaboration to effectively implement the 2023 Vietnam-U.S. joint communiqué, with a focus on science and high-technology cooperation as well as high-quality human resources training, which he views as strategic breakthroughs in the relationship.
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also spoke at the event, underlining that beyond healing the wounds of war, the two nations now have the opportunity to fulfill the vision of former U.S. President John Adams—offering the younger generation opportunities that the current generation could not have imagined.
Kerry expressed his hope that in 2024, the two sides will celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties by looking toward a shared future.
