At working sessions with US leaders, and meetings with overseas Vietnamese, with American enterprises, and US leading specialists and scientists during his visit to the US, Prime Minister’s Pham Minh Chinh mentioned the historic visit to Vietnam by US President Joe Biden at the invitation of the Vietnamese Chief Party Nguyen Phu Trong, which ended with the agreement on upgrading the Vietnam-US relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

From opponent to partner

Returning to the US after one year since the previous trip, Chinh said this was a significant visit as Vietnam and the US had agreed on upgrading their relationship to the highest level.

Telling the story about the Vietnam-US relationship, Chinh said: “A Communist Party Chief received an American President, who is leading the No1 economy and a powerhouse in the world, and a joint statement has been released – all these show the US’ respect to the Vietnamese political regime."

The Vietnamese Prime Minister went on to say that the Vietnam-US relationship is a model of international relations, which has developed from hatred and war to normalization and a comprehensive strategic partnership. The latest move of the two countries on upgrading the relationship to the highest-level shows Vietnam's stature and role in the world, as well as the its important position in the US's relations with other countries.

This was also what US President Joe Biden expressed at the recent opening session of the UN high-level debate.

“For decades, it would have been unthinkable for an American President to stand in Hanoi alongside a Vietnamese leader and announce a mutual commitment to the highest level of partnership,” Biden said.

Biden emphasized that the Vietnam-US relationship is proof that countries can overcome the past and turn from opponent into partner to solve challenges together and heal wounds.

When the Vietnamese Prime Minister met Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Congressman Michael McCaul, chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, and leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and other senators in Washington DC, they all expressed joy and appreciation for the outcomes of President Biden's visit to Vietnam, which has set a new framework for the two countries' relationship.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he personally and many American people were moved when witnessing the success of US President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam which set a framework for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Vietnam and the US. This gives an opportunity for the two countries to build a future together.

Overseas Vietnamese also were pleased about the successful visit. Hung Tran, PhD, the founder of a technology firm in the US, said he was happy about the upgrading of the Vietnam-US relationship. This will bring opportunities for Vietnam to build technological solutions when developing the digital economy.

Hung said young people in Silicon Valley are ready to join forces to train high-quality human resources in technology, helping Vietnam grasp the opportunity brought by the Vietnam-US partnership.

The upgrading in the Vietnam-US relationship has caught the special attention of the business community. Businesses have shown expectations for investment and trade.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister has called on American investors, as well as businesses in the world to invest in Vietnam, especially in the fields where Vietnam has advantages, including digital transformation, green transition, circular economy and knowledge-based economy, science and technology, and innovation.

He said: “Vietnam is willing to receive all businesses to come to make investment and do business in accordance with the laws, for the sake of the prosperity of each country”.

Talking about the Vietnam-US ties, Vietnamese Chief Party Nguyen Phu Trong said: “putting aside the past, overcoming differences, promoting similarities and heading towards the future”. 

The consistent message throughout the visit to the US was again emphasized by Prime Minister Chinh at the high-level general discussion session of the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

Thu Hang