On the afternoon of November 2, following a formal welcome ceremony, Vietnam’s Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang, held talks with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.
General Giang emphasized that the visit holds significant meaning, taking place as Vietnam and the United States celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations and continue to advance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including in the area of defense.
Defense cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. has followed the strategic directions set by senior leaders, with activities carried out in accordance with signed agreements and frameworks.
General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, speaks during bilateral talks.
The two militaries have maintained regular high-level exchanges, established and rotated consultation mechanisms, and cooperated in United Nations peacekeeping operations, military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and service-level engagements. Defense industry collaboration has also seen steady progress, with coordination extending into regional multilateral frameworks.
General Giang expressed appreciation for the continued U.S. support in English language and specialized training programs for Vietnamese peacekeeping personnel. Equipment and infrastructure provided by the U.S. have significantly enhanced Vietnam’s capacity to participate in UN peacekeeping missions.
He underscored that cooperation in addressing war legacies remains a key highlight of bilateral ties, with strong commitments from senior leaders on both sides.
Notably, the U.S. recently announced an additional $130 million in funding for dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airport, bringing total U.S. non-refundable assistance for this project to $430 million.
On October 31, Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense, the U.S. Department of War, and the U.S. Department of State signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen collaboration in overcoming war consequences. General Giang described this as a crucial milestone providing a solid foundation for future cooperation in this area.
Joint efforts to search for U.S. soldiers missing in action (MIA) during the Vietnam War have yielded tangible results. Over 160 joint operations, Vietnam has returned 994 cases, with 740 successfully identified by the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the bilateral talks.
General Giang acknowledged this progress as the result of more than five decades of dedicated efforts by both countries.
Regarding the search for Vietnamese soldiers who died or went missing during the war, Vietnam highly values the documents and support provided by the U.S., especially in improving forensic capabilities.
Since the two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation in July 2021, Vietnam’s defense agencies have verified 44 out of 45 dossiers received from the U.S. and continue their active efforts in this endeavor.
General Giang expressed hope that the U.S. will continue assisting in training high-quality human resources and sharing cybersecurity expertise. He also invited U.S. officers to study Vietnamese and attend international defense courses in Vietnam.
He proposed that the U.S. continue enhancing Vietnam’s capabilities in dealing with war legacies, ensuring the disbursement of non-refundable aid as agreed, including the additional $130 million for the Bien Hoa Airport project.
Vietnam and the U.S. share regional and global concerns during their talks.
Vietnam also called on the U.S. to strengthen cooperation in the search for Vietnamese war martyrs. The country remains fully committed to supporting the MIA program and providing optimal conditions for accelerated progress.
Moving forward, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in post-war recovery, service-level military exchanges, defense industry, training, military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, cybersecurity, and U.N. peacekeeping.
Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense plans to host the 3rd Vietnam International Defense Expo at the end of 2026. General Giang invited Secretary Hegseth, U.S. defense leaders, and defense enterprises to participate and support the event.
For his part, Secretary Hegseth affirmed that his visit underscores the importance of the bilateral defense relationship, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
The two ministers exchange wartime mementos, including identification tags and personal belongings of soldiers. Photos: Pham Hai
He stated that cooperation in addressing war consequences remains a top priority in the overall defense relationship. It plays a key role in fostering trust between the two countries, their armed forces, and their peoples.
As a nation with strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific, the U.S. supports a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam. Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed America’s commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, contributing to regional and global peace and stability.
He thanked Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense for its ongoing support in MIA recovery efforts.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides exchanged wartime keepsakes as symbols of reconciliation and shared history.
Vietnamnet.vn
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