Vietnam - US hand over war relics at Defense Policy Dialogue

Here, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that this Defense Policy Dialogue takes place in the context of celebrating the 30th anniversary of Vietnam - US diplomatic relations.

The comprehensive strategic partnership for peace , cooperation and sustainable development between Vietnam and the US continues to develop positively, increasingly going into depth in all fields, including defense.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Notably, cooperation in overcoming war consequences continues to be a bright spot in Vietnam-US relations, with high-ranking leaders of the two countries strongly committing to this, considering it a priority in bilateral relations.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien highly appreciated the US announcement of a new aid package worth 130 million USD for the dioxin treatment project at Bien Hoa airport area. Thereby, the total amount of non-refundable aid from the US Government increased from 300 million USD to 430 million USD.

Since August 2024, with the support of Harvard University, the two sides have coordinated to organize the return of 43 sets of documents of Vietnamese veterans' war relics related to Vietnamese soldiers to the martyrs' relatives.

In the coming time, based on the documents and agreements signed between the two countries' Ministries of Defense, the two sides will continue to strengthen cooperation. The Vietnamese Ministry of Defense welcomes American soldiers to study Vietnamese at the Academy of Military Science and the international defense officer class at the National Defense Academy.

Regarding cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien hopes that cooperation activities to overcome the consequences of war will continue to be implemented according to the agreed roadmap. He suggested promoting propaganda work on cooperation to overcome the consequences of war, so that domestic and international public opinion can better understand the model of Vietnam - US relations in this deeply humane and humanitarian field, contributing to "putting the past behind, opening up a future of peace, cooperation and development" between the two countries.

Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien also affirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; is ready to cooperate with countries and international organizations for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world; persistently struggles to resolve all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of international law; and persistently pursues the "Four No's" Defense Policy.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam's consistent stance is to comply with international law and customs, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea; and promote the early conclusion of negotiations and the signing of a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea in a substantive and effective manner.

At the dialogue, Mr. John Noh said that US Defense Secretary Hegseth affirmed his continued support for a strong and independent Vietnam. Regarding bilateral defense cooperation, the US strongly supports the work of overcoming the consequences of war and highly appreciates the results of cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war. At the same time, he affirmed that these activities demonstrate the US's goodwill and desire to promote peaceful and constructive cooperation with Vietnam.

Mr. John Noh also emphasized that the US highly appreciates Vietnam's role in the region and wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam for peace, stability and development in the region as well as the world.

Vietnam handed over war relics including Geneva Convention No. 3819 and identity card No. 3819 of Captain Seeber Bruce Gibson, the pilot of the US plane shot down by the Hebei army and people on October 5, 1965.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

The 44th set of documents and artifacts handed over by the US to Vietnam

PHOTO: DINH HUY

At the end of the dialogue, the two sides signed the minutes of the 13th Vietnam- US Defense Policy Dialogue and handed over war relics; and presented a letter from the Vietnamese Minister of Defense to the US Secretary of Defense, in which they highly appreciated the development of bilateral defense cooperation between Vietnam and the US in recent times. At the same time, they requested the US Department of Defense to support and influence to facilitate the negotiation process of trade and tariffs in accordance with the interests of the two countries.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nam-my-ban-giao-ky-vat-chien-tranh-tai-doi-thoai-chinh-sach-quoc-phong-185250508122537471.htm