Vietnam-US Cooperation: 'Continuing the Success Story'

In the context of a complex and volatile international environment, high-level contacts between the leaders of Vietnam and the United States play a vital role in enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening commitment to shared interests.

At the invitation of the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, the Founding Chairman of the Gaza Peace Council, and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam will make a working visit to the United States to attend the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Peace Council from February 18-20, 2026.

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Previously, the upgrading of Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023 was a landmark event, opening a new chapter for bilateral relations. In the context of complex international changes, high-level contacts between the leaders of the two countries play a vital role in enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening commitment to shared interests in peace , stability, and sustainable development.

This also demonstrates the trust in bilateral relations and the respect the United States has for Vietnam, as well as the strong desire of both sides to promote the continued positive development of bilateral relations, benefiting the people of both countries; thereby creating a foundation for Vietnam and the United States to work together to address global issues.

The year 2025 marked a special milestone in Vietnam-US relations: 30 years of diplomatic relations (July 12, 1995 - July 12, 2025) and 2 years of upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (September 10, 2023).

From past differences, Vietnam and the United States have become trusted partners today, working together towards a prosperous and sustainable future. This journey is a vivid testament to the power of the aspiration for peace, altruism, foresight, and relentless efforts from both sides, built and nurtured on trust and political confidence, in the spirit of setting aside the past, overcoming differences, promoting similarities, and looking towards the future. Speaking at Columbia University (USA) in September 2024, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that, with the nation's tradition of humanity, harmony, and tolerance, Vietnam has always been proactive in healing the wounds of war.

“ Even before the two countries normalized relations, Vietnam unilaterally searched for missing US servicemen (MIA) for 15 years before the US began cooperating with Vietnam. Cooperation in addressing the consequences of war has become the foundation for both sides to heal, move towards normalization, build trust, and deepen relations. These will remain extremely important areas of cooperation between the two countries for many years to come, because the consequences of war are still very heavy, especially for Vietnam. From this lesson, I believe that for a relationship to develop, both sides need to promote research on each other's history, culture, people, political systems, and socio-economic systems. Looking more broadly, I believe that if countries understand and respect each other's legitimate interests and build trust together, the world will be more peaceful and have fewer conflicts. In the age of science and technology, we can take advantage of new methods such as digital platforms and tools to promote widespread connectivity and deeper understanding between peoples ."

The 2023 Vietnam-US Joint Statement clearly identified 10 pillars of comprehensive and important cooperation. Accordingly, the two countries are determined to realize cooperation in these areas, especially those that play a core foundational role such as economic, trade, and investment cooperation; inclusive economic growth based on innovation; and new breakthroughs in bilateral relations such as cooperation in science, technology, and digital innovation.

After more than 30 years of normalizing relations, Vietnam and the United States have built a comprehensive cooperation framework in all fields, from politics, economics, security, education, to science and technology and people-to-people exchanges. Highly appreciating the development of bilateral relations over the past 30 years, former President Joe Biden, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2023, emphasized that "the Vietnam-US relationship has become a model of peacebuilding in international relations."

Former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper stated: “ The desire for peace is something that the people of the United States and the people of Vietnam share. We also deeply appreciate Vietnam’s contributions over the past decades to promoting peace in the region and around the world, including participation in peacekeeping operations in Africa and elsewhere. The U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship over the past 30 years has truly been a special one, and we will continue to cultivate it, as President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese Declaration of Independence stated. This is something we both value. It is a shared value of our people, and we will continue to pursue these values ​​together .”

Vietnam and the United States have become good friends and important partners: comprehensive strategic partners. In the context of a complex and volatile international environment, the numerous high-level telephone conversations between General Secretary To Lam and President Donald Trump demonstrate that high-level contacts between the leaders of the two countries play a crucial role in enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening commitment to shared interests in peace, stability, and sustainable development. This also reflects the trust in bilateral relations and the respect the United States has for Vietnam; creating momentum for Vietnam and the United States to participate in addressing global issues .”

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States, analyzed: “ I think the most important result is that we have elevated the Vietnam-US relationship to its highest level ever, both in breadth and depth. Now, the two countries can cooperate in all fields, with the economic, trade, and investment sector being the focus and driving force of the relationship. Cooperation in high technology is considered a breakthrough in the new phase, while continuing cooperation on overcoming the consequences of war, contributing to healing and building trust. Now, we not only cooperate on bilateral issues but also on regional and global issues; making very practical contributions to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the world; and we also have fundamental principles in our relationship: respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems; respecting international law and peacefully resolving disagreements and disputes... I believe that These are the most important results .”

International analysts believe that Vietnam's membership as a founding member of the Gaza Peace Council once again demonstrates Vietnam's spirit and responsibility, along with that of the United States and other friendly partners, in addressing global issues.

General Secretary To Lam's working visit to the United States to attend the opening meeting of the Gaza Peace Council is of particular importance; it contributes to strengthening the image and prestige of Vietnam and other peace-building nations in a turbulent world.

Previously, on January 16, 2026, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to General Secretary To Lam inviting Vietnam to join the Gaza Peace Council as a founding member, working with the international community to promote a sustainable peaceful solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza Strip. General Secretary To Lam responded (January 18, 2026) accepting the invitation and affirming Vietnam's readiness to participate as a founding member state, working with the United States and the international community to make positive contributions towards a long-term, comprehensive solution to the Middle East peace process, including the establishment of a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside the Israeli state.

Butterfly (Source: VOV online newspaper)

Link: https://vov.vn/chinh-polit/hop-tac-viet-nam-hoa-ky-viet-tiep-cau-chuyen-thanh-cong-post1269706.vov?