Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung: Turning historical gaps into a bridge of sustainable cooperation for Vietnam-US relations

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Vietnam-US relations (July 12, 1995 - July 12, 2025), Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung looked back on the special journey, important pillars of cooperation and shared expectations for the future of bilateral relations.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in the United States)

According to the Ambassador, what is the significance of the 30-year milestone of normalization of Vietnam-US relations, especially for Vietnam? What are the decisive factors that have helped the two countries make great strides in bilateral relations?

Three decades since the resumption of diplomatic relations, the Vietnam-US story has become a compelling testament to the ability to heal, overcome the past and build a shared future based on four core values: empathy, aspiration for peace , courage and commitment to common interests. The journey from former enemies to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership not only reshapes Vietnam’s position in the international arena but also sends an important message that goodwill and long-term vision can turn historical gaps into bridges of sustainable cooperation.

When President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet simultaneously announced the normalization of relations on July 11, 1995, few people could have imagined that two-way trade turnover would increase from 62 million USD to more than 132 billion USD in just one generation. That achievement affirmed the effectiveness of Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and proactive international integration, and at the same time reflected the strategic consensus of the leaders of the two countries in prioritizing long-term interests instead of past prejudices.

The solid foundation for this success is the sharing and spread of four core values ​​between the two peoples.

First, empathy and conscience are closely linked to overcoming the consequences of war. First of all, empathy and conscience, when despite suffering many losses due to war, the Vietnamese people still showed a spirit of tolerance, trying to understand the pain of the other side. In response, many American veterans and families returned to Vietnam to join hands to help heal the wounds of war. It is from that empathy and humanity that, as the late Senator John McCain once said, the two sides have “built bridges, instead of erecting walls” to separate them.

Empathy is not only limited to emotions but is also expressed through practical actions in overcoming the consequences of war. The two countries have cooperated extensively in programs to clear bombs and mines, treat Agent Orange/dioxin, support people with disabilities and search for missing soldiers. These efforts not only ease the pain of the past but also build a foundation of trust, creating momentum for comprehensive and sustainable cooperation in the future.

Second , the aspiration for peace is closely linked to the principle of respecting political institutions. The aspiration for peace is a strong driving force for the development of relations. Both peoples have experienced fierce wars, so they understand and cherish the value of sustainable peace. The Vietnam-US partnership is the crystallization of the aspiration to live in peace and stability for development.

That spirit of peace cannot be separated from the principle of respecting each other's political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two countries have established and consistently adhered to this principle as a solid foundation for long-term cooperation, helping to resolve differences, strengthen trust and ensure that all progress is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Third , courage and determination are also prominent values ​​in the bilateral relationship. In the early 1990s, it was brave people on both sides who stood up to fight for human values. On the Vietnamese side, senior leaders at that time also demonstrated vision and courage when deciding to welcome and dialogue with the US delegation, putting national interests and the desire for peace above the painful past. Many generations of US senators and congressmen made historic visits to Vietnam, regardless of obstacles and public opinion, to promote dialogue and mend relations.

Finally, the commitment to development for mutual benefit is a key value that ensures a long-term relationship. Right from the beginning of normalization, both sides have determined that the bilateral relationship must be based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit. This is demonstrated through a series of bilateral agreements and agreements signed, from the Bilateral Trade Agreement in 2000 to the upgrading of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. The interests of both sides overlap and complement each other, creating a sustainable foundation for the bilateral relationship.

The role of specific people such as businessmen, diplomats, and social activists on both sides also contributes significantly to building and strengthening trust, promoting substantive cooperation initiatives, from overcoming war consequences, people-to-people exchanges to connecting the business communities of the two countries.

Guests attend the 79th anniversary celebration of Vietnam's National Day organized by the Embassy of Vietnam in the United States on September 5, 2024. (Source: Embassy of Vietnam in the United States)

In the current volatile regional and global context, which areas of cooperation between Vietnam and the United States will see the strongest breakthroughs in the coming time?

In the context of the world economy restructuring supply chains and accelerating digital transformation, economics, trade and investment will continue to be the pillars of bilateral relations. Vietnam has emerged as a flexible manufacturing center, while the United States possesses high technology and needs to diversify its supply sources; this complementarity opens up opportunities to expand cooperation in the semiconductor, artificial intelligence, smart agriculture and green manufacturing industries.

Education and training is also a field with great potential. With more than 30,000 Vietnamese students studying in the United States (the highest number in Southeast Asia), the two countries are nurturing a new generation of bridges, capable of taking the relationship between science, technology, governance and innovation to a long-term level.

In terms of defense and security, the two sides can expand cooperation in peacekeeping at the United Nations, maritime security and disaster response. Overcoming the consequences of war and people-to-people exchanges continue to be the foundation for building trust and promoting mutual understanding. All of these areas are included in the 10 pillars of cooperation agreed upon by the two countries' leaders when upgrading relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023.

What are your expectations for the future of Vietnam-US relations?

Vietnam hopes that relations with the United States will continue to develop strongly, substantially and in a balanced manner, based on mutual respect and towards the interests of the people of the two countries.

Building on the foundation we have built, I expect our cooperation with the United States in new technologies, innovation, climate change response, health care and education to be enhanced, contributing to creating a more sustainable and resilient value chain to global shocks. At the same time, Vietnam aims to coordinate more deeply in regional and international forums, thereby actively contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development.

The message sent to American friends on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of normalization can be summed up in one commitment: Vietnam always values ​​the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and is ready to work with the United States to put the past behind us, overcome differences to promote similarities, and move towards a prosperous and long-lasting future for both peoples.

On that journey, Vietnam affirms itself as a reliable, active and responsible partner, joining hands with the United States to address common challenges of the era, from climate change and pandemics to maintaining order based on international rules.

The past thirty years have proven that the Vietnam-US relationship can transform profound differences into a driving force for substantive cooperation when both sides share core values ​​and put the interests of their people first. With political will, principles of mutual respect, concrete humanitarian actions, and long-term economic and technological vision, the two countries are continuing to write a story of overcoming hatred, creating peace, and sustainable development.

The road ahead promises to witness many new steps forward if the two countries continue to nurture trust, promote the role of each individual and turn common aspirations into practical projects, programs and initiatives for the region and the world.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

"Vietnam always values ​​the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and is ready to work with the United States to put the past behind us, overcome differences to promote similarities, and move toward a prosperous and long-lasting future for both peoples." (Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-nguyen-quoc-dung-bien-nhung-khoang-cach-lich-su-thanh-chiec-cau-hop-tac-ben-vung-cho-quan-he-viet-nam-hoa-ky-320640.html