“Thank you for the warm welcome, Vietnam. I know this will be a historic visit,” he wrote Sunday evening on X, formerly Twitter.
In another post later, he posted a photo of himself with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and wrote: “It was great talking with you, General Secretary. As I said earlier, Vietnam and the United States have a huge opportunity to be critical. I know we can realize the two countries’ shared aspiration for a future of greater peace, security and prosperity.
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Screenshot of a message from US President Joe Biden on X on September 10, 2023. |
The US president arrived in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Trong, his first official visit to Vietnam since taking office in early 2021.
After a welcoming ceremony, the two countries’ top leaders held a meeting during which it was announced that Vietnam-US relations were now elevated to the status of a comprehensive strategic partnership, 10 years after the establishment of a global partnership.
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed that the most important factors in the development of Vietnam-US relations are full respect for the fundamental principles that guide their relations, including respect for the United Nations Charter, the law international and political institutions of each, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Biden also emphasized the message of this “historic visit.”
He mentioned the progress of Vietnam-US relations from conflict to normalization and improved relations, and reiterated that Vietnam is an important partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. .
The White House said on Sunday it will strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in science and technology, education, trade, investment and economy, energy, responding to climate change, the environment, health care, security, repairing the legacy of war and strengthening ties between businesses in the two countries.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press after his meeting with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi, September 10, 2023. White House Video
On Monday, Biden is expected to meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two men will then participate in the Vietnam-US Innovation and Investment Summit.
Biden will also be welcomed by President Vo Van Thuong at a state banquet.
With this visit, Biden becomes the fifth US president to visit Vietnam since the normalization of relations between the two countries in 1995.
Economic cooperation is at the center of relations between the two countries. Bilateral trade exceeded $123.86 billion in 2022, an increase of 11% from 2021.
The United States is Vietnam’s largest export market and its second largest trading partner. Vietnam is the seventh largest trading partner of the United States
U.S. FDI in Vietnam represents more than $11 billion in more than 1,200 projects, the 11th highest of any country.
Countries have also stepped up collaboration to address the legacy of the war.
The United States has made financial and technical contributions to cleaning up dioxin remnants at Da Nang Airport and is working to clean up Bien Hoa Airport.
The two sides also worked to repatriate the remains of 733 American soldiers who died during the war.
