General Secretary and President To Lam proposed that Vietnam and the United States prioritize high-tech cooperation and high-quality human resource training as a strategic breakthrough in their relationship.

General Secretary and State President To Lam at the event.

At the event marking the one-year anniversary of upgrading Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on September 22, General Secretary and President To Lam reflected on the rare and exemplary process the two nations have undergone, from former adversaries to partners, setting a model for international relations in reconciliation and post-war cooperation.

Vietnam and the US have had diplomatic interactions for over two centuries, but the relationship has seen many challenges, evolving from former foes to partners, culminating in a Comprehensive Partnership in 2013. After 10 years, the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized the need for both sides to continue enhancing coordination to effectively implement the 2023 Joint Statement. He especially highlighted the importance of increasing high-level exchanges and cooperation in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) and in training highly skilled human resources, making these areas strategic breakthroughs in bilateral relations.

Vietnam also hopes that both countries will continue prioritizing cooperation in addressing the war’s aftermath, fostering candid and constructive dialogue, sharing mutual benefits and concerns, and collaborating to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity both regionally and globally. The event was attended by former US Secretary of State John Kerry, Senator Dan Sullivan, and numerous current and former US officials, as well as members of the Vietnamese community in the US.

The Party Chief and former US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Former Secretary Kerry shared his personal experiences of the challenges faced during the normalization and advancement of bilateral ties. He emphasized that, through effort, Vietnam and the US have found a path to reconciliation, ending the war, and providing younger generations with opportunities that were once unimaginable.

Senator Sullivan expressed condolences to the families affected by Typhoon Yagi and reaffirmed that the US Congress would continue to support a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam, recognizing its pivotal role in the region.

Earlier, General Secretary and President To Lam met with the leadership of the Asia Society, an organization aimed at enhancing global understanding of Asia. He also engaged in discussions with US leftist groups, the Communist Party, and friends of Vietnam in New York. This is his first trip to attend multilateral diplomatic events and work in the US in his new role as General Secretary and President.

The US is Vietnam’s largest export market, while Vietnam ranks as the 8th largest trade partner of the US. Bilateral trade reached nearly $88 billion in the first eight months of the year, a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The US is the 11th largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with approximately 1,340 projects and a total capital of over $11.8 billion as of early this year. Vietnam has 230 investment projects in the US with a registered capital of nearly $1.3 billion, making the US the 7th largest recipient of Vietnamese investments among 80 countries and territories.

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