According to a special correspondent of the Vietnam News Agency, the calls took place while General Secretary To Lam was in Washington, D.C., attending the opening session of the Gaza Peace Council at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, who chairs the council.

In his conversation with Steve Daines, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, General Secretary To Lam thanked the senator for his congratulatory letter on the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The congress set forth the goal of transforming Vietnam into a developing country with upper-middle income and modern industry by 2030, and into a developed nation by 2045.

The Vietnamese leader also expressed appreciation for Senator Daines’ efforts in promoting the U.S. Senate’s adoption of a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam. He said the resolution reflected bipartisan support in the United States, as well as Senator Daines’ personal commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Reviewing the positive developments in Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in recent years, with significant contributions from the U.S. Congress, General Secretary To Lam underscored the importance of building on more than three decades of cooperation, including delegation exchanges and parliamentary collaboration.

He proposed that the two sides continue to maintain economic, trade, and investment relations in a stable and sustainable manner. He also called on the U.S. Congress to sustain its attention and allocate resources to assist Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war, particularly the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airport, unexploded ordnance clearance, support for persons with disabilities and war victims, and efforts to search for, recover, and identify the remains of missing Vietnamese soldiers.

General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to continuing full and responsible cooperation with the United States in accounting for U.S. service members missing in action.

Congratulating To Lam on his re-election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and recalling his visit to Vietnam in March 2025, Senator Daines said he was impressed by Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements. He welcomed the United States’ position as Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner and affirmed that Vietnam is an important economic partner of the United States in the region. He expressed hope that the two countries would soon finalize a reciprocal trade agreement.

Reaffirming strong bipartisan congressional support across generations for bilateral relations, Senator Daines voiced his wish for Vietnam to become a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous nation.

The senator agreed on the importance of maintaining high-level contacts and exchanges at all levels, particularly at the senior level. He also shared General Secretary To Lam’s views and stated that he would prioritize further cooperation in addressing war legacies and other areas of mutual interest.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern. Senator Daines commended Vietnam’s participation in the Peace Council, describing it as evidence of the country’s proactive, constructive, and responsible role in addressing shared regional and global challenges.

In a separate call with Bill Hagerty, a member of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations, General Secretary To Lam noted that the 14th National Party Congress marked a milestone opening a new phase of development for Vietnam.

He reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues an independent, self-reliant foreign policy of peace, cooperation, and development, while diversifying and multilateralizing its external relations. Vietnam, he said, looks forward to working with the United States to effectively and substantively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Expressing appreciation for Senator Hagerty’s goodwill and interest in Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam welcomed the U.S. Congress’s support in consolidating and advancing the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

Both sides noted with satisfaction the continued strengthening of political trust and the steady expansion of economic, trade, and investment cooperation. General Secretary To Lam described collaboration in addressing war consequences as a highlight of the bilateral relationship.

He proposed that the two sides sustain the current momentum by increasing exchanges at all levels, including through parliamentary channels; maintaining and promoting stable and sustainable economic, trade, and investment cooperation; and ensuring continued U.S. congressional support and funding for efforts related to unexploded ordnance clearance, dioxin remediation, and assistance for war victims. He also reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to full and responsible cooperation in accounting for U.S. personnel missing in action.

Senator Hagerty commended Vietnam’s growing role and standing, expressing his desire to further deepen the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the basis of shared interests.

He noted that the two sides had made significant progress in negotiations toward a fair and balanced reciprocal trade agreement, expressing confidence that, with openness, candor, and mutual respect, the agreement would soon be concluded. He affirmed that stronger economic cooperation would contribute to consolidating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Senator Hagerty thanked Vietnam for its active and responsible cooperation in accounting for missing U.S. service members, and affirmed that the U.S. Congress and administration would continue to coordinate closely with Vietnam in addressing war legacies.

He concurred with General Secretary To Lam on the importance of maintaining regular contact and dialogue, expressed his wish to visit Vietnam again soon to continue in-depth discussions on advancing bilateral ties, and extended Lunar New Year greetings to the General Secretary and the Vietnamese people.