Vietnam Rendezvous

What do you think if Vietnam were the venue for the highly anticipated US-Russia summit?

A developing Vietnam, with its rapid growth, youthful energy, and security and political stability, is an ideal location for a Russia-US summit. (Photo: Bach Duong)

After the Lunar New Year, we had a friendly get-together between some Vietnamese people who had studied and lived abroad and a number of friends of various nationalities who have studied, worked, or traveled in Vietnam. The topics were diverse, including impressions of Vietnamese culture, people, and cuisine , the relationship between their countries and Vietnam, and pressing international current events.

A question naturally arose: what would you think if Vietnam were the venue for the highly anticipated US-Russia summit? Knowing each other well, and with many speaking Vietnamese and English, the conversation was quite open and lively. In short, "Vietnam number one," "Vietnam is the ideal meeting place," "a good land attracts good people"... Several reasons stood out:

Firstly , Vietnam is a developing country with rapid growth, a youthful population, and a safe environment in terms of both security and politics. The image of foreign heads of state being welcomed by the people, freely visiting historical sites and scenic spots, strolling around, and enjoying Vietnamese culture and cuisine without being surrounded by bodyguards, is compelling evidence of this.

Secondly, the Vietnamese people and country have always cherished peace and justice, and are a reliable, loyal, and responsible friend of the international community.

Third, Vietnam has a clear, balanced, objective, consistent, constructive, and reasonable stance on pressing and complex global issues, including the conflict in Ukraine.

During a telephone conversation initiated by Ukraine on the afternoon of February 17th, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha that Vietnam is a friend of both Russia and Ukraine; emphasizing that disputes should be resolved peacefully, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. Vietnam supports and is ready to participate in the international community's mediation efforts to find lasting peaceful solutions to conflicts with the participation of all relevant parties.

Fourth, Vietnam is the only country that maintains a comprehensive, balanced, and harmonious strategic partnership with three major powers: Russia, China, and the United States, despite existing disagreements among them.

Vietnam advocates "closing the past and looking towards the future," proactively building bridges of friendship across the chasm separating it from countries that once invaded it, so that the dark past does not repeat itself. All issues can be discussed and negotiated if goodwill prevails.

That spirit is valuable in encouraging the resolution of crises around the world, including the Ukraine issue. If Vietnam were chosen, the Russia-US summit, an international conference on resolving the conflict that has lasted nearly three years, would be extremely significant, continuing historical values ​​in the present and future.

During his first term, President Donald Trump visited Vietnam twice: to attend the APEC Summit and a state visit (November 2017), and to attend the US-North Korea summit with leader Kim Jong Un (February 2019). Russian President Vladimir Putin also visited Vietnam several times. On November 11, 2024, during a post-election phone call with President Donald Trump, General Secretary To Lam invited the US President to visit Vietnam again. He happily accepted the invitation.

If the leaders of the US and Russia choose Vietnam as the venue for their summit, it would not be surprising.

Sixth, several locations have been proposed to host this important international event. Vietnam has expressed its readiness to host, doing its utmost to ensure all conditions for organizing the conference (if selected), considering it a contribution to resolving conflicts and crises, and for peace and friendship in the world.

Considering all these factors, Vietnam is an attractive destination, possessing all the necessary elements – favorable timing, geographical advantages, and human resources – creating a conducive environment for the US-Russia summit or the multilateral negotiations following the summit. Holding it in Hanoi will further enhance the event's international appeal.

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Those participating in the informal conversation were not professional diplomats, high-ranking officials, or national representatives. But with their understanding, sincerity, and frankness, it can be seen as a small survey, an objective voice regarding a suitable location for a major event. Vietnam has done its best. The choice rests with those involved. International support is crucial.