Vietnam and the United States elevate relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

At the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, President of the United States of America Joe Biden arrived in Hanoi, beginning a state visit to Vietnam from September 10-11, 2023. On this occasion, the leaders of the two countries issued a Joint Statement on upgrading the Vietnam-US relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This marks the first time a US President has paid a state visit at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The visit coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries. This also continues the tradition of nearly 30 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.

On this occasion, Vietnam.vn would like to introduce to you some representative images commemorating this momentous event between Vietnam and the United States, through the photo collection "Vietnam and the United States Elevate Their Relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace , Cooperation, and Sustainable Development" by authors Thuy Nguyen, Duy Linh, Dang Khoa, and Tran Hai. The collection was submitted by the authors to the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden review the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People's Army.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong presided over the welcoming ceremony for President Joe Biden. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong warmly welcomed and highly appreciated President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries. The visit is of special significance, providing an opportunity for leaders of the two countries to exchange views on bilateral relations and international issues for the benefit of the people of both countries, contributing to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong led the high-level Vietnamese delegation and US President Joe Biden led the high-level US delegation in talks at the Party Central Headquarters.

The General Secretary highly appreciated the contents agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries regarding the Joint Statement on elevating the Vietnam-US relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development.

For his part, President Joe Biden appreciated the upgrading of relations between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which benefits both countries and their shared international interests.

Accordingly, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized several major directions to promote Vietnam-US relations. These include continuing to strengthen mutual understanding, implementing guiding principles, creating long-term stability, high-level meetings and cooperation, cooperation between sectors and levels, and people-to-people exchanges.

The General Secretary welcomed the strong promotion of economic, trade, and investment cooperation and inclusive economic growth oriented towards innovation, which continues to be the central foundation and driving force for the relationship between the two countries, and the agreement between the two sides to create breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology.

President Joe Biden expressed his pleasure at visiting Vietnam, thanked the Vietnamese side for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation, and expressed his delight at meeting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong again. The President emphasized that the visit was of historical significance not only for bilateral relations but also for the Indo-Pacific region and the world, outlining the United States' commitment to supporting an open, stable, secure, interconnected, and prosperous region.

President Joe Biden emphasized the importance he places on Vietnam's role and position in the region, appreciating Vietnam's positive role on many regional and global issues, including climate change response.

The President affirmed his support for ASEAN's central role and expressed his desire to cooperate with Vietnam to contribute to ASEAN's unity and prosperity.

The President emphasized the South China Sea's crucial importance to international prosperity and stability, and reaffirmed the United States' position on the South China Sea. He also highlighted the importance the United States places on the objectives of the Indo-Pacific Economic Cooperation Framework.

During this visit, US President Biden held meetings with President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue…

The most significant outcome of the visit was the official upgrading of the two countries' relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, ushering in a new historical era of bilateral friendship and cooperation.

Since the normalization of bilateral relations in 1995, Vietnam-U.S. relations have developed strongly, profoundly, substantively, and effectively. This new chapter in the relationship between the two countries will elevate the Vietnam-U.S. partnership to a new level. Together, the two countries will realize the aspirations of their people for a bright and dynamic future, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in this important region and around the world.

In 2024, the "Happy Vietnam" photo and video contest continued to be organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists on the website. https://happy.vietnam.vn is open to all Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above. The competition aims to honor individuals and groups with positive informational products that make practical contributions to promoting a beautiful image of Vietnam to the world. Through this, it helps people at home, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends access authentic images of Vietnam, its people, its achievements in ensuring human rights, and working towards a happy Vietnam.

Each contest category (photo and video) has the following prizes and prize values:
– 1 Gold Medal: 70,000,000 VND
– 2 Silver Medals: 20,000,000 VND
– 3 Bronze Medals: 10,000,000 VND
– 10 Consolation Prizes: 5,000,000 VND
– The most voted entry: 5,000,000 VND
The winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the Award Ceremony and Certificate Presentation, which will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television.

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