Pentagon chief reiterates commitments to Vietnam during meetings with top leaders

At both meetings, Hegseth extended condolences on behalf of the U.S. government for the recent flood losses in northern and central Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Party leader welcomed Hegseth’s official visit, which came at a meaningful time as the two countries celebrate 30 years of diplomatic ties and 50 years since the end of the war in Vietnam.

He conveyed his greetings and an invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump and the First Lady to visit Vietnam soon.

Party chief Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam regards the U.S. as one of its most important partners, emphasizing a desire to deepen cooperation across all fields.

He praised President Trump’s efforts to promote peace and resolve global conflicts, saying Vietnam is ready to serve as a responsible bridge for peace and dialogue on regional and international issues.

The Party chief also valued the outcomes of Hegseth’s talks with Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, stressing that defense cooperation has become a key pillar of bilateral relations.

He called for continued substantive defense collaboration based on mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and principles of external relations and national defense of Vietnam, contributing to building strategic trust and maintaining regional peace and stability.

He urged the U.S. to continue assisting Vietnam in war legacy remediation, including dioxin clean-up, bomb and mine clearance, and support for people with disabilities and the identification of remains of missing Vietnamese soldiers — efforts that he said are “deeply humanitarian and vital for reconciliation.”

The U.S.Secretary of War expressed honor in visiting Vietnam, which he described as “a nation of growing importance in the Indo-Pacific.”

He conveyed President Trump’s greetings to General Secretary To Lam and praised his leadership in advancing the Vietnam-U.S. partnership.

He affirmed that the U.S. values its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam and supports a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam.

The U.S. seeks to expand strategic cooperation both bilaterally and regionally, particularly in countering transnational crime, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, UN peacekeeping, and disaster response, while continuing to assist Vietnam in defense modernization and personnel training.

Hegseth also commended joint progress in addressing war consequences, citing dioxin clean-up projects at Bien Hoa and Da Nang airports as powerful symbols of reconciliation.

He pledged that the Pentagon would continue working closely with Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense to complete ongoing projects and explore new areas of cooperation.

Both sides agreed that maintaining high-level exchanges and regular dialogues between their defense agencies, particularly between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the U.S. Department of War, is essential to build trust and deepen bilateral ties.

Later the same day, State President Luong Cuong met with Hegseth, reiterating Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization, and being a reliable friend, a trusted partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community.

The state leader also reaffirmed Vietnam’s ‘four no’s’ defense principle.

Cuong welcomed both sides’ agreement to strengthen dialogue and exchanges in maritime security, UN peacekeeping, defense industry, technology transfer, and training.

He proposed arranging President Trump’s official visit to Vietnam soon, calling it a "historic milestone" that would energize strategic cooperation.

Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to advancing bilateral defense ties and supporting Vietnam’s efforts in mine clearance, dioxin remediation, and soldier identification, while exploring new cooperation in defense industry and maritime security.

Both sides voiced support for ASEAN’s common stance on the East Vietnam Sea, emphasizing freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, and peaceful dispute settlement based on international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).