Vietnam, US hold 13th Political-Security-Defence Dialogue
On August 26, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins co-chaired the 13th Vietnam-US Political, Security, and Defence Dialogue in Hanoi.
This dialogue marked the first of its kind since the two nations elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023.
Both sides acknowledged the effective bilateral cooperation in implementing the high-level commitments outlined in the 2023 joint statement on the upgraded relationship. They expressed satisfaction with the tangible progress made across various fields, including politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, security-defense, as well as culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges. This progress has created positive momentum leading up to the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations (1995-2025).
Ngoc reaffirmed Vietnam’s view of the US as a strategically important partner and welcomed the US’s commitment to supporting a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam.
He proposed that the two countries enhance coordination to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership framework in a deep, practical, and stable manner. He also called for increased high-level meetings to maintain stability and positive momentum in bilateral relations, as well as the effective use of dialogue mechanisms, including the Political-Security-Defence Dialogue, to build trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation while addressing challenges in the bilateral relationship.
Ngoc welcomed the inclusion of high-tech cooperation in the dialogue agenda for the first time, contributing to the implementation of collaboration in this breakthrough field as affirmed in the 2023 Vietnam-US Joint Statement.
Jenkins commended the effective implementation of existing agreements on defense and security cooperation and agreed to continue prioritizing the resolution of war-related issues in the bilateral relationship. She reaffirmed the US’s commitment to maintaining resources for collaboration with and support for Vietnam in addressing the aftermath of the war, including dioxin decontamination, bomb and mine clearance, assistance to Agent Orange victims, and the search, recovery, and identification of fallen soldiers’ remains.
Jenkins also expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese government for its active and effective cooperation in the search for missing US servicemen from the wartime and added that the US will continue to enhance defense and security cooperation with Vietnam under established frameworks and agreements, in line with Vietnam’s needs. This includes cooperation in areas such as training, military medicine, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and the prevention and control of cybersecurity and high-tech crimes.
On international and regional issues of mutual concern, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation for peace, security, collaboration, and development in the region and the world.
Jenkins emphasized that the US highly values and prioritizes the Indo-Pacific region and supports ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture. She also affirmed that the US will continue to work closely with Vietnam to further enhance the effectiveness of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Mekong-US Partnership.
Regarding the East Sea situation, both sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, and order at sea, and promoting freedom of navigation and overflight. They emphasized the principle of resolving disputes peacefully, without the use or threat of force, in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The two sides outlined specific measures to ensure the effective implementation of the 2023 Vietnam-US Joint Statement.
