President Luong Cuong meets American friends, highlights reconciliation and healing
WVR - In New York City, President Luong Cuong had a warm and friendly meeting with long-time friends, partners, and progressive Americans who affirmed their unwavering friendship with Vietnam.
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| President Luong Cuong meets with long-time friends, partners, and progressive Americans. (Photo: Hoang Hong) |
On the afternoon of September 23, in New York, on the occasion of attending the activities of the 80th United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and conducting bilateral activities in the United States, President Luong Cuong met with long-time friends, partners, and progressive Americans.
The event was organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.
Attending were members of the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation and numerous friends from various states in the US, representing thousands of American friends who have supported, assisted, and been attached to Vietnam in its struggle for national independence and reunification; participated in addressing war consequences, promoting normalization, and developing Vietnam–US relations, as well as in the current nation-building and development efforts.
Pledging to be "always a loyal friend to Vietnam"
During the meeting, representatives of long-time partners and progressive Americans shared moving stories of their support for Vietnam, contributions to healing war wounds, and promoting relations between the two countries.
Beginning her remarks, Ms. Ani Toncheva, a member of the Communist Party of the USA, who has dedicated herself to internationalism and anti-militarism and actively participated in Vietnam–US reconciliation activities, expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the Vietnamese people in building a modern, prosperous society that prioritizes the needs of its citizens. Ms. Ani Toncheva expressed a desire to learn more about Vietnam's journey to becoming a comprehensively developed nation.
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| Ms. Ani Toncheva, a member of the Communist Party of the USA, shares at the meeting. (Photo: Hoang Hong) |
"Your efforts in developing a socialist-oriented market economy, achieving sustainable growth, and improving living standards are clearly opening new paths for the people," said Ms. Ani Toncheva.
Ms. Ani Toncheva recalled her visit to Vietnam in 2024 and expressed her impression of the hospitality of the people in the S-shaped land. The Communist Party of the USA member shared that during her visit, she and her colleagues spent a day meeting dioxin victims and learning about the long-term effects of dioxin used by the US during the war, affecting both civilians and soldiers of both nations. With a desire to help the victims and their families address dioxin-related issues, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USA has been urging the US Congress to compensate the victims affected by Agent Orange.
Concluding her remarks, Ms. Ani Toncheva expressed her desire to continue a close relationship with Vietnam, aiming for a future where people are prioritized above all.
Mr. Todd Magee, representing Operation Smile, shared that through healthcare, Operation Smile has helped open doors at a time when both countries were seeking paths to reconciliation. He emphasized that Operation Smile's activities have demonstrated how compassion and healing can contribute to diplomacy and trust.
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| Mr. Todd Magee, representing Operation Smile, shares his thoughts at the meeting. (Photo: Hoang Hong) |
Operating in Vietnam since 1989 in the healthcare sector, Operation Smile was one of the first US organizations to come to Vietnam after the war and has significantly contributed to promoting the normalization of Vietnam–US relations.
The organization has performed over 70,000 free surgeries for children with congenital cleft lips and palates in Vietnam, while also training hundreds of doctors, nurses, and medical professionals in Vietnam, and collaborating with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health to enhance surgical and medical standards.
"Operation Smile has been, is, and will always be a loyal friend to Vietnam and Vietnamese children. We will continue to build a future where every child can smile with respect, and where our cooperation becomes a model of humanitarian partnership," said Mr. Todd Magee.
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| Ms. Kim Carlson Benner, a board member of the Two Sides Project, shares her account at the meeting. (Photo: Hoang Hong) |
Ms. Kim Carlson Benner, a board member of the Two Sides Project, shared that Vietnam has been a part of her family life since 1966. At that time, Ms. Kim Carlson Benner was 4 years old, her sister was 2, and her father, Air Force Captain John Carlson, was shot down while on a bombing mission north of Ho Chi Minh City.
"The death of my father left a huge void in my heart, and for decades afterward, it motivated me to do something different to heal the wounds of war," said Ms. Kim Carlson Benner.
The Two Sides Project, established in 2015, aims to connect the relatives of soldiers who died in the war, on both the US and Vietnamese sides. The project has received comprehensive support from the Vietnamese Government, facilitating over 120 children of soldiers who died in the war to meet directly in Vietnam.
Ms. Kim Carlson Benner emotionally reflected that at the project, they found much in the connections between relatives, experiencing comfort, peace, friendship, and notably, they found no hatred. She hopes that both sides will continue their partnership and friendship for another decade and beyond.
For a dynamic, safe, and attractive Vietnam
Listening to the heartfelt stories from American friends, President Luong Cuong affirmed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam always remember and cherish the close friendship, valuable assistance, and support from American friends and peace-loving Americans for the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in the current cause for nation-building and safeguarding.
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| President Luong Cuong speaks at the meeting with American friends. (Photo: Hoang Hong) |
The President emotionally recalled the image of peace-loving American citizens such as Merle Ratner, Morrison, and many American friends in the movement supporting Vietnam’s just struggle, advocated for ending the war and the promoting restoration of peace in Vietnam, as well as U.S. veterans’ organizations and individuals who overcame the grievances of the past to return to Vietnam, helping to heal the wounds of war, jointly searching for missing soldiers, supporting Agent Orange victims, and clearing landmines.
With the spirit of “Putting aside the past, overcoming differences, looking to the future”, and after 30 years of diplomatic relations, the President highlighted that Vietnam–US ties have made remarkable progress, with Vietnam becoming one of the US’s important trading partners.
The President affirmed that the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development in September 2023 marked a historic milestone, making the Viet Nam–US relationship a model of reconciliation in international relations.
The Head of State emphasized that within the framework of the new relationship, people-to-people diplomacy is a crucial area of Vietnam–US relations, serving as a solid social foundation, both a catalyst and a trust-building force, connecting hearts and fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
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| After 30 years of diplomatic relations, Vietnam–US relations have made remarkable progress, with Vietnam becoming an important trading partner of the United States. (Photo: Hoang Hong) |
President Luong Cuong stated that 80 years since the country's founding, especially after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), Vietnam has achieved significant, historically meaningful accomplishments. From a poor, war-torn, embargoed nation, it has become a middle-income country; its political and social stability, national defense, and security are maintained; and the people's living standards are continuously improving.
Sharing about Vietnam's upcoming 14th Party Congress in early 2026, the President noted that this event marks an important milestone in a new historical period and era on the path of national development. Vietnam continues to promote the spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-strength, self-pride," striving to become a developing, high-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045.
The President affirmed Vietnam's steadfast implementation of an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, friendly, and developmental foreign policy, diversifying and multilateralizing foreign relations, and actively and comprehensively integrating into the international community.
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| President Luong Cuong takes a commemorative photo with American friends. (Photo: Hoang Hong) |
With the hope that American friends will continue to care for and support Vietnam and the development of bilateral relations, the President suggested that both sides should focus on several key areas.
Firstly, organizations and individuals from both countries should enhance exchanges and interactions in flexible forms; share information about each side's situation and activities, and vigorously promote people-to-people diplomacy and cultural exchanges to strengthen understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Secondly, leverage the role of a bridge to connect businesses and localities from both sides, promoting cooperation in core and breakthrough areas of economy, trade, and investment, especially in science and technology and innovation.
Thirdly, continue to support and contribute to addressing war consequences, such as dealing with areas contaminated with Agent Orange, unexploded ordnance; supporting victims of chemical agents, dioxin, and landmines; and assisting in gathering information to expedite the search and repatriation of the remains of missing Vietnamese soldiers. For its part, Vietnam is committed to making the utmost efforts in cooperating with the US to search for and repatriate the remains of US servicemen missing in action (MIA) during the Vietnam War.
The United States has gained a deeper understanding of Vietnam today — a dynamic, developing country and a safe, attractive destination for foreign investors. The Vietnamese people are peace-loving, friendly, and hospitable. The Vietnamese nation is resilient, striving forward on the path of development toward the goal of “a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, justice, and civilization.”
The meeting took place in a warm, cordial, and friendly atmosphere, with heartfelt exchanges that further contributed to Vietnam’s development and to advancing the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
