Vietnam, US celebrate 25 years of partnership

The US Embassy in Hanoi and US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City have celebrated the 25th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations with Vietnam in a series of gala events hosted in both cities.

Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long. Photo: US Embassy

On behalf of the Vietnamese government, Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long on October 9 attended the 224th anniversary of the USA Independence and 25th anniversary of the Vietnam-US ties, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking in Hanoi, Acting Minister Long said that the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership has been broadened and deepened in all fields on the basis of mutual interest and respect. He highly valued fast-growing bilateral trade relations as well as efforts to handle war legacies, especially the dioxin cleanup at Bien Hoa airport, a former US air base during the Vietnam War, which has helped build trust between the two former foes.

Mr. Long also lauded effective healthcare cooperation between the two countries, particularly in fighting against Covid-19.

US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink. Photo: US Embassy

For his part, US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink advocated for a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam, and expressed respect for Vietnam’s political regime.

The US is committed to supporting Vietnam in dealing with war legacies, boosting economic and trade ties and cooperation in education, healthcare, science-technology, etc. and deepening the bilateral relationship, the ambassador added.

“Everything we have achieved has been built on the courage, goodwill, and painstaking work of those who came before us. The partnership we share today is the result of countless actions taken by dedicated individuals on both sides who believed in the possibility of peace,” said the ambassador.