Vietnam and the US share a common vision of building a brighter future for all of humanity, drawing from the lessons learned.
| General Secretary and State President To Lam and US President Joe Biden during the meeting. Source: VNA |
“In particular, it is important to have reconciliation, mutual respect, and understanding, with the most crucial aspect being respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems.”
General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed the view during a meeting with US President Joe Biden in New York on September 25 (local time).
General Secretary and President To Lam highly appreciated President Biden's remarks during the opening session of the UN General Assembly, where he shared with the world the lessons learned from the US and Vietnam's efforts to promote reconciliation and rebuild relations post-war.
The Party Chief emphasized that the Vietnam-US relationship is unique, evolving over the past 50 years from former adversaries to Comprehensive Partners, and now reaching the highest level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This relationship is entering a new historical phase and stands as a model in international relations for reconciliation and post-war cooperation, he noted.
President Joe Biden expressed his condolences to Vietnam for the losses caused by Typhoon Yagi and reaffirmed the US government's readiness to assist Vietnam in its recovery efforts. He stressed that the US views Vietnam as a key partner in the region.
President Biden reaffirmed US support for a "strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous" Vietnam and pledged to further enhance the bilateral partnership based on mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems.
He also highlighted the Vietnam-US relationship as a model for reconciliation and future cooperation.
General Secretary To Lam noted that Vietnam is at the dawn of a new era, determined to pursue an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, diversify its partnerships, and remain a reliable and active member of the international community. Vietnam considers the US a strategically important partner and expressed confidence in the continued stable and long-term development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both leaders agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges and cooperation, focusing on economic, trade, investment, high-tech sectors, and the development of human resources. They also committed to deepening collaboration at regional and international forums, including ASEAN, the Mekong-US Partnership, APEC, and the UN.
President Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, recognizing ASEAN's central role and supporting Vietnam's increasing importance in regional and global affairs. The US seeks close cooperation with Vietnam to maintain peace, stability, and adherence to international law, ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea, combating climate change, and addressing regional and global challenges.
The meeting took place during General Secretary and President To Lam’s first multilateral diplomatic visit in his new role at the UN and in the US.
The US remains Vietnam's largest export market, while Vietnam ranks as the US's 8th largest trading partner. In the first eight months of this year, bilateral trade reached nearly $88 billion, a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The US is the 11th largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with around 1,340 projects and a total investment of $11.8 billion as of early this year. Meanwhile, Vietnam has 230 investment projects in the US, with nearly $1.3 billion in registered capital.
