Vietnam-U.S.: Cooperation in war aftermath settlement remains a top priority
WVR - On the afternoon of November 2, at the Ministry of Defense headquarters, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of Defense, presided over the official welcoming ceremony for U.S. Secretary of War, Mr. Pete Hegseth.
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| General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, welcomes U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Following the welcoming ceremony, the two leaders held talks. During the discussions, General Phan Van Giang emphasized the significance of the U.S. Secretary of War's visit to Vietnam, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1995–2025). This visit aims to further promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development between Vietnam and the U.S., as well as bilateral defense cooperation.
Both sides agreed that recent Vietnam-U.S. defense cooperation has been implemented in accordance with the directives of the senior leaders of both countries, the two Ministries of Defense, and signed documents and agreements. These include the Memorandum of Understanding on promoting bilateral defense cooperation (2011) and the updated Vietnam-U.S. Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation (2024), achieving positive results, notably in areas such as delegation exchanges and high-level contacts.
Dialogue and consultation mechanisms are maintained regularly, alternating between the two countries; cooperation in training, UN peacekeeping, military medicine, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief; military and defense industry cooperation continues to be promoted; and coordination in regional multilateral mechanisms, especially the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM ).
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| The two Ministers review the Guar of honour. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Vietnam's Minister of National Defense expressed gratitude to the U.S. Department of War for maintaining support in English language training and other fields, including UN peacekeeping for Vietnamese soldiers through courses, training sessions, conferences, and seminars both domestically and internationally. The equipment and infrastructure provided by the U.S. have significantly enhanced Vietnam's capacity to participate in UN peacekeeping operations.
General Phan Van Giang emphasized that cooperation in war aftermath remediation remains a highlight, strongly committed to by the senior leaders of both countries, specifically in three areas.
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| U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shakes hands with Vietnamese defense officials. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Firstly, cooperation in addressing the aftermath of bombs and chemical toxins post-war continues to be implemented. The U.S.'s announcement of a new support package worth $130 million for the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airport is highly appreciated, raising the total U.S. government grant aid from $300 million to $430 million.
Notably, on October 31, 2025, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of National Defense and the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, representing the Departments of War and State, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation in war aftermath settlement. This is a significant milestone, providing a solid foundation for further cooperation in this field.
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| General Phan Van Giang introduces Mr. Pete Hegseth to past defense foreign affairs activities between the two countries. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Secondly, the search for U.S. servicemen missing in action (MIA) during the Vietnam War has been effectively implemented. To date, after 160 joint operations, Vietnam has returned a total of 994 sets of remains to the U.S., with the U.S. confirming the identification of 740 cases. This is the result of efforts by both countries over more than 50 years.
Finally, regarding the search for Vietnamese soldiers who died, went missing, or were unaccounted for during the war, Vietnam appreciates the information and documents provided by the U.S., as well as U.S. support in enhancing the capacity for war remains identification.
Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in this field in July 2021, Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense has verified 44 out of 45 dossiers received from the U.S. and is actively continuing the search.
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| The two Ministers review moments from past defense foreign affairs activities between the two countries. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In the future, to further promote defense cooperation, based on signed documents and agreements, both sides agreed to focus on several areas such as delegation exchanges at all levels, effectively implementing existing dialogue and consultation mechanisms; cooperation in war aftermath remediation; military, defense industry, training, military medicine, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, cybersecurity, UN peacekeeping cooperation, and continuing coordination in multilateral defense mechanisms, especially within the ADMM framework.
General Phan Van Giang hopes the U.S. will continue to support Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense in training and developing high-quality human resources; sharing experiences in cybersecurity. Vietnam is ready to invite U.S. officers to learn Vietnamese and participate in the International Defense Officials course in Vietnam.
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| U.S. Secretary of War signs the guestbook at Vietnam's Ministry of Defense. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Regarding cooperation in war aftermath remediation, Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang requested the U.S. continue supporting Vietnam in enhancing its capacity to address the aftermath of bombs and chemical toxins post-war; completing internal procedures to ensure grant aid funds are implemented as agreed, including the additional $130 million budget for the Bien Hoa Airport project.
Continue cooperation in searching for Vietnamese soldiers who died, went missing, or were unaccounted for during the war. Vietnam is committed to closely coordinating and providing the best possible conditions for MIA activities, ensuring the efforts of both sides expedite the search with the highest efficiency.
During the talks, both sides shared views on global and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. Vietnam's Ministry of Defense appreciated the U.S. sending senior defense officials and modern defense equipment to exhibit at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, contributing to the event's overall success.
Noting that Vietnam plans to host the 3rd Vietnam International Defense Exhibition in 2026, General Phan Van Giang hopes the Secretary, U.S. Department of War leaders, and U.S. defense enterprises will continue to support and participate.
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| The two leaders in talks. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Thanking Vietnam for its warm reception, U.S. Secretary of War, Mr. Pete Hegseth, emphasized that this visit reaffirms the importance of bilateral defense relations, aligning with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
Mr. Pete Hegseth also stated that cooperation in war aftermath remediation remains a top priority in the overall bilateral defense cooperation, contributing to building trust between the two countries, their militaries, and peoples.
As a country in the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. supports a peaceful, prosperous Vietnam, promoting the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to help maintain peace and stability in the region and globally.
The U.S. Department of War leadership expressed gratitude for the active support and assistance from Vietnam's Ministry of Defense and Vietnam in the search for U.S. servicemen missing in action during the Vietnam War (MIA).
Concluding the talks, both sides exchanged war memorabilia.
