That was what Defence Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed during a high-level meeting with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
In a candid exchange between the two defence leaders, General Giang underscored Vietnam’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties based on equality, mutual benefit, and respect for sovereignty and international law. He expressed optimism that enhanced U.S.–Vietnam cooperation would support regional and global peace, stability, and sustainable development.
“The Ministry of National Defence stands ready to implement the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in the areas of defence and security,” said General Giang.
Defence Collaboration and Forward Momentum
According to Giang, bilateral defence cooperation has yielded tangible progress, including:
- High-level delegation exchanges
- Strategic dialogues and consultations
- War legacy remediation initiatives
- Military training programs
Joint contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions
Looking ahead, Giang called for more meaningful collaboration between the two defence ministries, particularly in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic ties this year. He also proposed that both nations accelerate negotiations toward fair and mutually beneficial tariff policies.
Washington’s Commitment to Stronger Ties
Secretary Hegseth, representing the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, reaffirmed Washington’s strong support for the strategic partnership with Vietnam. He expressed a desire to deepen defence cooperation and intensify joint efforts in addressing war legacies—a long-standing and meaningful pillar of U.S.–Vietnam relations.
“We value Vietnam as a trusted partner in the Indo-Pacific and look forward to elevating our relationship in the time ahead,” Hegseth noted.
At the close of the meeting, General Giang extended a formal invitation to Secretary Hegseth to visit Vietnam at the earliest convenient opportunity—signaling a shared desire for continued dialogue and closer military-to-military engagement.
Why It Matters
The meeting at Shangri-La highlights the increasing strategic importance of Vietnam–U.S. relations, especially amid shifting regional dynamics. With shared interests in maritime security, defence modernization, and economic cooperation, both countries are poised to write a new chapter in their strategic partnership—one that balances diplomacy, defence, and sustainable development in Southeast Asia.
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Source: Vietnam Insider