“This is not just my personal priority but the US government's priority. I think the time has come for the two countries to upgrade our relationship to a strategic partnership,” said Marc Knapper, the US Ambassador to Vietnam. 

During a meeting with the local press, the first since he came to Vietnam in January, Knapper spent one hour talking about the US-Vietnam bilateral partnership, as well as his priorities as an ambassador. 

The ambassador said he can see big changes in Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular compared with 15 years ago when he left Vietnam. 

He emphasized the strong economic growth, Vietnam’s prominent role in the region and world, the number of American travelers to Vietnam, and the increase in the number of Vietnamese studying in the US. 

However, there is one thing that has not changed – the hospitality and warmth of the Vietnamese people. 

Knapper said since returning to Vietnam three months ago, he has spent time learning more about Vietnam. He has had meetings with the Party, government, businesses and scholars, and taken a lot of trips.  Over three months, he visited HCM City four times. He travelled to Can Tho last week and visited Hai Phong earlier this week. 

“We have developed relationships in all possible aspects, including trade, investment, maritime security, energy, healthcare and cultural exchanges. The relationship between the two countries has developed in a way that I honestly couldn't have imagined 15 years ago,” he said. 

The ambassador went on to say that the relationship the two countries have today is the result of the dedication, hard work and good will of hundreds of people of both countries over the last three decades. They have been making every effort to build confidence between the two sides. And he, as the ambassador, will continue to promote the relationship and the confidence. This is a task to which he attaches much importance. 

The US priority is upgrading the relationship with Vietnam from a comprehensive partnership to strategic partnership, he said. 

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) 

According to the US Ambassador, Washington attaches great importance to the Indo-Pacific region. 

The Biden administration has announced IPEF, an initiative that goes beyond a free trade agreement. Through this framework, the US will promote decarbonization, a digital economy, and strengthening of the resilience of supply chains. The US is now discussing with friends, partners and allies in the region and inviting them to join the initiative. 

The strategy also mentions the enhancing of coast guard capabilities and maritime cooperation. In reply to a question about the possibility of the US continuing to transfer ships to Vietnam, Knapper affirmed the commitment to strengthening Vietnam's capacity to ensure maritime security and improve law enforcement capacity at sea. The US has provided two coast guard ships to the Vietnam Coast Guard and is ready to hand over the third one. 

Strategic partnership

Asked about visits of high-ranking officials of the two countries this year, Knapper said the US-ASEAN Summit in May will be a great opportunity for the US to receive regional leaders, including Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. 

He stressed that since the Clinton administration, all US Presidents have visited Vietnam. “I hope that our President will visit Vietnam in the future,” he said. 

In terms of dealing with the pandemic, Knapper said that medical cooperation between the two countries began 15-16 years ago. "The US will continue to cooperate with Vietnam to cope with Covid-19, as long as this is necessary," he said. To date, the US has provided nearly 40 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam. 

“Vietnamese leaders understand our views and concerns. When we reach the goal of improving relations, we can say that only the sky is the limit. Vietnam and the US will do many things together,” the ambassador said.

Thai An - Duc Yen - Pham Hai