On the afternoon of November 2, at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense in Hanoi, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defense, chaired a welcome ceremony for US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Secretary Pete Hegseth is paying an official visit to Vietnam from November 2 to 3, 2025. The visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US (1995 - 2025). It offers an opportunity for both sides to review the bilateral defense cooperation journey and open a new phase of more practical collaboration, contributing to strategic trust-building and strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

Enhancing practical cooperation and consolidating strategic trust

During their talks, General Phan Van Giang expressed his pleasure in welcoming Secretary Pete Hegseth and the US delegation to Vietnam, stressing that the visit carries significant importance in fostering the bilateral defense relations in a more substantive and effective manner, in line with the common interests of both nations and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Both sides agreed that, over the past years, Vietnam - US defense cooperation has been implemented effectively under the guidance of senior leaders and based on signed documents and agreements, particularly the Memorandum of Understanding on Advancing Bilateral Defense Cooperation in 2011 and the Updated Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations in 2024. Building on that foundation, various cooperation areas have achieved positive and practical results, from delegation exchanges and high-level contacts to the effective maintenance of bilateral dialogue and consultation mechanisms.

Cooperation has also advanced in training, United Nations peacekeeping, military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, defense industry and cybersecurity. Notably, the close coordination between the two defense ministries within multilateral frameworks, especially the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), has contributed to maintaining peace, stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

General Phan Van Giang expressed appreciation for the continued support of the US Department of War in English language training and specialised courses for Vietnamese officers, including those participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions. The provision of equipment and infrastructure assistance from the US has substantially enhanced the capacity of Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces.

He emphasised that amid complex global and regional developments, maintaining open dialogue channels, increasing delegation exchanges and sharing experience in emerging areas such as cybersecurity, defense industry and high-quality human resources training will further strengthen strategic trust and contribute to a stable, sustainable regional security environment.

Vietnam is also ready to invite US officers to learn Vietnamese and attend the International Defense Officials Course in Vietnam, an activity that symbolises mutual understanding, respect and partnership between the two militaries.

A humanitarian highlight in Vietnam - US defense ties

One of the key topics underscored during the talks was cooperation in addressing war consequences. regarded as a humanitarian hallmark and a symbol of reconciliation and forward-looking partnership between the two nations.

General Phan Van Giang highly valued the achievements of bilateral cooperation, particularly in three key areas: dioxin remediation, unexploded ordnance clearance and the search for missing servicemembers. He expressed gratitude to the US Government for announcing an additional USD 130 million in aid for the Bien Hoa airbase dioxin remediation project, raising the total US non-refundable assistance to USD 430 million, a figure reflecting Washington’s strong commitment to supporting Vietnam in overcoming war legacies.

On October 31, Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation in war legacy remediation. The document marks a new step forward in bilateral relations, laying a firm foundation for upcoming joint projects.

At the same time, joint activities in the search for US servicemembers missing in action (MIA) continue to yield results. To date, Vietnam has coordinated 160 joint operations and handed over 994 sets of remains, 740 of which have been identified by the US. Vietnam also appreciates the information and documents provided by the US regarding Vietnamese soldiers who fell or went missing during the war, as well as the US assistance in enhancing Vietnam’s forensic capacity in war remains identification.

Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s active cooperation in MIA efforts, reaffirming that addressing war legacies will remain a top priority in the overall Vietnam-US defense relations, helping to build trust and lay a solid foundation for sustainable collaboration between the two militaries.

He also reiterated that the US supports an independent, self-reliant, peaceful and prosperous Vietnam, and wishes to further promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the common interests of both peoples and for regional and global peace and stability.

General Phan Van Giang welcomed the participation of senior US defense officials and enterprises in the 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo, which contributed to the event’s success. The Ministry of National Defense plans to host the 3rd Vietnam International Defense Expo in late 2026 and looks forward to continued US support and participation, thereby fostering substantive and effective cooperation in the defense industry.

At the end of the talks, the two sides exchanged wartime memorabilia, a symbolic gesture of reconciliation and the shared commitment to closing the past and moving toward a future of cooperation and friendship.