Defense cooperation and shared security interests between Vietnam and the United States have been steadily expanding. This was highlighted by Jedidiah P. Royal, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, who spoke at the U.S. Institute of Peace’s 3rd Annual Dialogue On War Legacies and Peace in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. President Joe Biden visited Hanoi, Vietnam on September 9, 2023, where both countries took steps to elevate their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership that includes cooperation in various areas such as diplomacy, economy, and defense industries.
A year later, on September 9, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang at the Pentagon to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam. Austin emphasized the importance of overcoming the legacies of war as both countries work towards further enhancing their comprehensive strategic partnership. A key aspect of their defense cooperation involves addressing the consequences of the Vietnam War, including efforts to account for those missing in action, Agent Orange cleanup, and removing unexploded ordnance.
The collaborative efforts between the United States and Vietnam have yielded positive outcomes, such as the removal of around 700,000 unexploded ordnances and the repatriation of 700 Americans killed during the war to their families for burial with full military honors. These activities have built confidence and trust between the two nations. Additionally, current initiatives focus on enhancing Vietnam’s industrial base resilience, maritime awareness, and defense capabilities. Recent events, such as the port visit by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche at Cam Ranh, Vietnam, highlight the growing cooperation in the defense sector.
Vietnam has also played host to multilateral missions, such as the Pacific Partnership mission and Pacific Angel humanitarian response mission in August. These initiatives underscore the shared values and beliefs of nations across the Indo-Pacific region and the United States, including respect for sovereignty, international law, freedom of navigation, equal dignity for all individuals, and peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue. The ongoing efforts to strengthen defense cooperation and shared security interests between Vietnam and the United States demonstrate a commitment to fostering peace and stability in the region while addressing the legacies of past conflicts.
