Vietnam-US at 30: From former foes to comprehensive strategic partners
WVR - On May 1, 2025, a seminar themed “The 30th anniversary of U.S-Vietnam relations: Former enemies & present partners” was held in New York City, hosted by the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung (middle) at the seminar. (Photo: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN) |
The event was part of a series of commemorative activities marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the war (1975-2025) and the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Vietnam–US diplomatic relations (1995-2025). It drew the participation of a wide range of attendees, including current and former diplomats, veterans, scholars, students, Vietnamese-American community members, and international supporters of the anti-war movement.
Vietnamese representatives at the event included Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Dang Hoang Giang, and former Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of Vietnam’s UN Mission Dang Dinh Quy. From the US side, notable participants included former US Ambassadors to Vietnam David Shear and Daniel Kritenbrink, Senior Advisor for Vietnam at Columbia University Thomas Vallely, along with scholars and business representatives.
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| Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang (middle) at the seminar. (Photo: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN) |
Through three in-depth panel discussions, speakers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives shared a common assessment: five decades after the war and three decades after normalization, the Vietnam–US relationship has made remarkable strides, in line with the aspirations and interests of both peoples, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the normalization process and the building of a comprehensive strategic partnership, participants emphasized the pivotal role of reconciliation and trust-building. These achievements were not only the result of consistent and determined efforts by both governments, but also the invaluable contributions of veterans, peace-loving citizens, and advocates for bilateral ties. Many underscored the importance of national unity and the vital role of the Vietnamese diaspora—particularly the Vietnamese-American community—in shaping Vietnam’s future and advancing Vietnam–US relations.
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| Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy (second from right) at the seminar. (Photo: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN) |
Speakers also devoted significant attention to and praised the message delivered by General Secretary To Lam on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification. The message embodied the Vietnamese Party and State’s deeply humane and forward-looking policy: healing the wounds of war, not forgetting the past but willing to set it aside to build a shared future—for the prosperity of the Vietnamese people and the mutual interests of both Vietnam and the United States.
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