The war ended in April 1975; however, the domestic and international conditions were not yet conducive for our two countries to begin the healing process. Hostility, resentment, and suspicion lingered on both sides for many years, resulting in numerous missed opportunities. Sanctions and economic embargoes imposed by the United States and its allies plunged Vietnam into hardship, further deepening the divide between our nations. Despite this challenging backdrop, early efforts emerged on both sides to lay the groundwork for improved bilateral ties, particularly in addressing war legacies and humanitarian issues. Ultimately, these efforts culminated in a historic breakthrough that set our countries on a path toward reconciliation and partnership. On July 11, 1995, Prime Minister Võ Văn Kiệt and President Bill Clinton officially announced the normalization of diplomatic relations, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Vietnam-U.S. relations. From that point onward, the Vietnam-U.S. partnership flourished, rising from height to greater height. In 2000 and 2005, President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải made history as the first leaders of their respective countries to visit each other since the war. In July 2013, President Trương Tấn Sang visited the United States and, alongside President Barack Obama, announced the establishment of the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Partnership. In 2017 President Donald Trump highlighted the remarkable progress in Vietnam-U.S. bilateral relations, stating: “The United States and Vietnam have come a long way. We’ve seen it from both sides of the picture, and this is the pleasant side.” In September 2023, as our two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership, President Joe Biden visited Vietnam. Together with the late General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, they elevated our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and development. Biden emphasized that no one could have imagined a day when a U.S. president would stand alongside Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi to announce such a partnership. Today, the United States is Vietnam’s largest export market, with bilateral trade increasing more than 250-fold since the normalization of relations. U.S. businesses recognize Vietnam’s potential and are continuously expanding their investments, particularly in high-tech industries, emerging sectors, and renewable energy. Meanwhile, an increasing number of Vietnamese businesses are also investing in the United States. In the areas of politics and security, cooperation between Vietnam and the United States has been increasingly strengthTHE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL-MAY 2025 29 ened by addressing key issues in bilateral relations, responding to climate change, and supporting regional initiatives within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) framework and Mekong cooperation. In education and people-topeople exchanges, Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in the number of students studying in the United States, with more than 30,000 Vietnamese students enrolled. Additionally, many U.S. universities have established research programs focused on Vietnam, contributing to a deeper American understanding of Vietnamese culture and history. The journey from former adversaries to comprehensive strategic partners is a powerful testament to the value of peace in today’s world. This process of reconciliation and cooperation demonstrates that nothing is impossible when both sides exhibit determination, goodwill, and shared objectives to foster a sustainable and forward-looking relationship. Drivers for the Relationship The robust growth of Vietnam-U.S. relations has been propelled by a number of factors. First, the trend of international integration following the Cold War created opportunities for the two countries to redefine their relationship. The development of bilateral ties since normalization aligns with this broader global trend. As nations increasingly prioritize economic cooperation and stability, both Vietnam and the United States recognize the strategic benefits of enhancing their bilateral relations. This shift has opened avenues for both sides to overcome historical barriers, strengthen ties, and pursue a shared future. Another critical factor is the concerted effort to address war legacies. Both Vietnam and the United States have demonstrated a commitment to healing the wounds of war, overcoming the past, and strengthening ties between their peoples. Cooperative programs focused on Agent Orange remediation, unexploded ordnance clearance, and the search for missing soldiers have played a significant role in building mutual trust. Both Vietnam and the United States have demonstrated a commitment to healing the wounds of war, overcoming the past.
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