Vietnam marks 30 years of diplomatic ties with US by showcasing Clinton’s normalization declaration

Vietnam and the United States established diplomatic relations in July 1995, two decades after the end of the American war in the Southeast Asian nation.

The exhibition, opened on Thursday in Hanoi, features original documents and photographs from both U.S. and Vietnamese archives.

Among the highlights is the official statement Clinton made on July 11, 1995, at the White House — a landmark moment that paved the way for full diplomatic relations after decades of post-war estrangement.

The statement, on display for the first time in Vietnam, is part of a collection preserved at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library.

Also featured is the response issued by then-Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet on July 12, 1995, which is kept at Vietnam’s National Archives Center III.

Organized by the National Archives Center III in coordination with the Vietnam–U.S. Society, the exhibition is one of several events commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic normalization (1995–2025) and the upcoming Vietnamese Day for War Invalids and Martyrs, marked annually on July 27.

Never-before-seen documents

Many of the materials are being made public in Vietnam for the first time.

They include official correspondence, photographs, and war-related records illustrating the long and complex path to reconciliation between the two countries.

Some of the wartime documents and artifacts, previously stored at the Vietnam Center and Archive at Texas Tech University, are being returned to Vietnam.

The files — which include personal effects, military records, and evidence from the war — are being handed over to families of fallen soldiers and veterans, officials said.

The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi also contributed to the occasion by donating a set of 30 photographs, symbolizing the three decades of U.S.–Vietnam diplomatic relations.

In addition, the Vietnam Center at Texas Tech plans to donate more than 200 sets of war-related records to Vietnam’s National Archives for continued processing and repatriation.

A message of reconciliation

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy said the exhibition and record handovers represent not just a look back at a historic diplomatic turning point, but a reflection of deep human connection and reconciliation.

“This exhibition not only recounts the 30-year journey of Vietnam–U.S. relations but also conveys a message about a peaceful and prosperous future built on stable cooperation,” Cao said.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper said the event carries powerful stories of human connection and healing.

The photos, artifacts, and documents are more than just slices of history, he said.

They are vivid proof of the journey both nations have taken — from conflict to trust and partnership.