The New York Times has run an article with entitled “Obama in Vietnam Will Focus on Future, Rather Than the Past” in the “White House Letter” column ahead the US President's upcoming visit to Vietnam.
Hanoi (VNA) – The New York Times has run an article with entitled “Obama in Viꩲetnam Will Focus on Future, Rather Th🥃an the Past” in the “White House Letter” column on the threshold of the US President’s visit to the Southeast Asian country from May 23 to 25.
The article said, for Obama the trip to Vietnam offers an opportunity to help solidify not only his promised pivot of American policy toward Asia, but also to deepen economic and security ties with an increasingly important regional player.
According to the paper, the US President is more likely to call for cooperation between the two countries to jointly address the consequences of Agent Orange/Dioxin.
Over the half past century, Vietnam has heavily suffered from the remnants of the toxic chemicals used by the US during wartime in Vietnam. Nearly 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the chemicals and about three million others are struggling with a lot of fatal diseases. The AO/dioxin after-effect is now affecting the fourth generation in Vietnam.
Every year, Vietnam spends 10 trillion VND (450 million USD) on monthly aid programmes for the AO community. In recent years, the US government has supported the Southeast Asian country with environmental detoxification as well as bomb and mine clearance.-VNA
US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Vietnam firstly aims to emphasise a secure, prosperous and independent Vietnam that respects universal human rights and rule of law.
President of the United States of America Barack Hussein Obama will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 22-25 at the invitation of Vietnamese leadership.
The upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama to Vietnam is set to promote multifaceted links between the two nations, according to some US citizens.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
US President Barack Obama (Photo: EPA/VNA)
