US-Vietnam Relations: From Bitter Enemies to Strategic Partners

Vietnam and the United States have finally arrived at a new higher level of bilateral relationship after a protracted and difficult journey through a complicated history of conflict and cooperation. In order to strengthen strategic interests for peace, stability, and prosperity for both sides, and promote a rules-based international order, President Joe Biden and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reached a historic accord to upgrade the bilateral relationship between the two countries in a two-day visit by President Biden to Hanoi on September 10-11.

Following the agreement’s conclusion, in order to implement the newly reached deal, Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is scheduled to meet various US federal and local officials in Washington DC and San Francisco on his trip to the US later this month, which also includes attending the high-level meetings of the 78th Session of the General Assembly in New York.

There are some opinions that the threat from China, especially Beijing’s assertive actions in the South China Sea, may be part of the reason why the United States and Vietnam are moving closer. However, the actual roadmap for developing relations between Hanoi and Washington dates back 50 years, after the last US soldiers departed Vietnam. The mistrust and hostility between the two parties was challenging to overcome. Changing relations with America required Hanoi to adopt “new thinking” or “renovation” in the 1980s. Vietnam made further efforts to diversify its economy and broaden its diplomatic area of influence after the fall of the Soviet Union.

The majority of post-Vietnam War analysts concur that the opening of the POW/MIA accounting office in Hanoi, together with Washington’s humanitarian aid, contributed to a thawing of relations between the two nations. Former President Bill Clinton’s decision to normalize relations in 1995 was one of the key openings. Reconciliation was undoubtedly facilitated by a variety of methods, including specific acts made by both countries to mend the severe wartime scars.

Through the efforts of the late Senator John McCain, a former Navy pilot and POW, and Senator John Kerry, a fellow war veteran, the U.S. Congress assisted in fostering confidence between Washington and Hanoi. Additionally, Democratic Senator from Vermont Patrick Leahy played a crucial role in getting Congress to approve aid for Vietnamese citizens who have been injured by landmines and explosive ordnance.

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