Vietnam ready for long-term cooperation projects with US: Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha held a meeting with US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Hanoi on July 9.
At a meeting between Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Hanoi on July 9. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam stands ready to engage in comprehensive cooperation with the US, sharing both benefits and risks in long-term joint projects on the basis of transparency and fairness, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said at a meeting with US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Hanoi on July 9.
The Deputy PM affirmed that Vietnam regards the US as a strategic partner in the fields of economy and trade. However, he stressed the need for both sides to continue removing barriers, particularly in trade, investment, and high technology.
Ha called on the US to soon recognise Vietnam as a market economy, which would help facilitate access to advanced technologies, especially in the fields of energy, mining, and strategic industries.
He expressed his hope that the US would support Vietnam’s development of artificial intelligence (AI) through technology transfer, investment, training, and joint ventures, creating a new symbol of bilateral cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper. (Photo: VNA)
Ambassador Knapper voiced support for Vietnam’s development goals, which include becoming a green economy by 2050, achieving high-income status by 2045, and evolving into a high-tech economy. He stated that the US wishes to be a reliable partner and is ready to enhance cooperation in priority areas such as high technology, AI, strategic mineral supply chains, data, and education.
A representative of USAID informed the deputy PM of the agency’s decision to close its office in Vietnam as part of a global restructuring policy from the US Government. However, USAID will continue to transfer key ongoing programmes in Vietnam to the US Department of State. These include initiatives on HIV/AIDS prevention, post-war recovery, environmental protection, and public health.
൩ Deputy PM Ha acknowledged the long-standing and practical contributions of the agency over the past three decades, describing it as a crucial bridge for the countries’ cultural and economic ties and mutual trust. He said that the mission of USAID and bilateral cooperation will continue to be maintained and strengthened in the time to come./.
Brian Eyler, Director of the Southeast Asia Programme at the the US’s Stimson Centre, called the war in Vietnam a mistake for the US - one that should have never happened. It affected millions of Vietnamese and hundreds of thousands of Americans. He noted that many US veterans came to realise the wrongs of the past and have since sought reconciliation, viewing Vietnam as both a friend and a partner in building a renewed relationship.
Vietnam is playing a growing role in the US’s global supply chains while American businesses have contributed significantly to Vietnam’s economic transformation and development, according to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.
Knapper described the Joint Statement on the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023, signed by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden, as a "historic achievement", with both sides valuing collaboration in high technology, particularly semiconductors.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
