US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Vietnam from April 14-16, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Secretary Blinken arrived in Hanoi on the evening of April 14, beginning a three-day visit to Vietnam. The event took place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership.
This is Mr. Blinken's first visit to Vietnam as US Secretary of State. Mr. Blinken visited Vietnam in 2015 and 2016 as Deputy Secretary of State under the Obama administration.
Secretary Blinken is scheduled to meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and hold talks with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. He is also scheduled to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the US Embassy complex in Cau Giay District and meet with faculty, students, and scientists at Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Noi Bai airport, Hanoi on the evening of April 14. Photo: Hoang Phong
Vietnam-US relations were normalized in 1995 and upgraded to Comprehensive Partnership in 2013. Bilateral trade reached more than 123.86 billion USD in 2022, an increase of 11% compared to 2021. The US is Vietnam's largest export market and second largest trading partner.
US foreign direct investment in Vietnam reached over 11 billion USD with more than 1,200 projects, ranking 11th among countries and territories investing directly in Vietnam. About 30,000 Vietnamese students study in the US, contributing one billion USD to the country's economy.
Defense and security cooperation continues to be maintained and promoted. In 2017 and 2021, the US transferred two Hamilton-class patrol boats to Vietnam through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. These boats were then assigned to the Vietnam Coast Guard. US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper said in April 2022 that the US government was ready to transfer a third Hamilton-class patrol boat but did not mention a specific time for the transfer.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, humanitarian cooperation and overcoming the consequences of war are given high priority. The US government and Congress continue to increase the budget for the Bien Hoa airport detoxification project (phase one completed), support for people with disabilities in dioxin-contaminated areas, and aid for mine clearance projects.
In March, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had a phone call with US President Joe Biden. The General Secretary suggested that the two countries make economic, scientific and technological cooperation the focus and driving force of the relationship. Mr. Biden affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner and supports an “independent, self-reliant and prosperous” Vietnam.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper at Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi on the evening of April 14. Photo: Hoang Phong
According to Vu Anh/VNE
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