On the morning of March 27, at the National Assembly House, Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received a delegation of US Congressmen led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Chairwoman of the Emerging Threats Subcommittee, US Senate Armed Services Committee. At the meeting, both sides were pleased that the two countries have established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as a basis for continuing to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest for prosperous development, including enhancing parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.
Also attending the meeting on the Vietnamese side were: Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy - Chairman of the Vietnam - US Friendship Parliamentarians' Group; Chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi; Vice Chairmen of the Vietnam - US Friendship Parliamentarians' Group: Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Le Thu Ha and Vice Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee Nguyen Thi Phu Ha; Vice Chairman of the Economic Committee Doan Thi Thanh Mai; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc; Deputy Head of the National Assembly Office, Assistant to the National Assembly Chairman Pham Thai Ha; Standing Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Thai Quynh Mai Dung.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand - Chairwoman of the Emerging Threats Subcommittee, US Senate Armed Services Committee
Actively implementing the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
On behalf of the Vietnamese National Assembly, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue warmly welcomed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and her delegation to visit and work in Vietnam for the first time; and was pleased to see the diverse participation of congressmen representing both the Senate and the House of Representatives; representatives of the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and representatives of the US States.
Noting that this is also the second visit of US Congressmen to Vietnam in 2024 after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the National Assembly Chairman expressed his belief that the delegation's visit to Vietnam this time will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, bringing the relationship between the two parliaments as well as cooperation between the two countries to develop more deeply and substantially.
Expressing her joy at visiting and working in Vietnam, and being present at the National Assembly, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was grateful for the warm and thoughtful reception that the Vietnamese National Assembly and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue personally gave to the delegation; stating that the visit opened up opportunities for exchange, communication, and experience sharing with delegates and parties from Vietnam.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Sharing the joy of the two countries upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated that this shows that Vietnam is the leading partner of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the United States' interest in strengthening cooperation with Vietnam for strong and prosperous development.
Thanking Vietnam for actively cooperating with the United States in resolving the consequences of war, searching for the remains of US soldiers and supporting people with disabilities... the results achieved are proof of the strength of friendly cooperation and people's diplomacy, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said that the United States will continue to fulfill its commitments in overcoming the consequences of war.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also said that during this visit and work in Vietnam, the delegation hopes to learn, exchange and promote cooperation in areas that are beneficial to both sides such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, education and training, people-to-people exchange, and cooperation in the field of defense and security for an open and peaceful region, bringing practical benefits to all parties.
Overview of the reception
Also at the meeting, members of the US Congressional Delegation expressed their joy at coming to Vietnam after the two countries upgraded diplomatic relations, were impressed by the remarkable development as well as had a deeper understanding of Vietnam's landscape and people.
Thanking the parliamentarians for their kind words and sentiments towards the country and people of Vietnam and their friendly gestures, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue welcomed the delegation's general opinions on the relationship between the two countries, the two legislative bodies and cooperation in various fields and between localities.
The National Assembly Chairman affirmed that Vietnam considers the United States a partner of strategic importance and highly appreciates the United States' consistent policy of supporting a strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Vietnam. Vietnam is ready to work with the United States to promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in an increasingly substantive, in-depth and stable manner on the basis of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, in accordance with the interests of the two peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue at the reception.
Recalling the event of US President Joe Biden's successful visit to Vietnam in 2023, he had a working session at the National Assembly House. Within the framework of the visit, the leaders of the two countries issued a Joint Statement establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking an important event in the relationship between the two countries. The National Assembly Chairman said that the two sides' upgrading of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has created momentum and opened up new space for the two countries to strengthen cooperation in all channels (Party, State, National Assembly and People); in all fields, including breakthrough fields such as innovation, artificial intelligence, human resource training, semiconductor cooperation, supply chain, energy conversion, high-performance sports, people-to-people exchange, etc.
Vietnam welcomes the United States to strengthen responsible cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region, and hopes that the United States, the National Assembly Chairman, through the Indo-Pacific Strategy and regional initiatives, will continue to strongly demonstrate its commitment to supporting ASEAN's central role, the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Mekong-US Partnership, making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at the reception.
Discussing specific areas of cooperation, the National Assembly Chairman thanked and appreciated the support of the two political parties in the US Congress and the congressmen in the delegation in promoting the bilateral relationship in recent times. The two sides have actively implemented the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and achieved many specific results: regular delegation exchanges with substantive content; maintaining annual dialogue mechanisms and exchanges to establish new dialogue mechanisms.
The National Assembly Chairman welcomed the US officially starting to consider removing Vietnam from the list of non-market economies. The two sides continued to promote cooperation in the fields of overcoming the consequences of war, humanitarian cooperation, capacity building; and enhanced coordination in implementing the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the semiconductor sector.
Continue to promote deeper relations between the two countries and the two National Assemblies
As an important component of the overall Vietnam-US relationship, cooperation between the two countries' parliaments has been active and vibrant in recent times with many exciting activities. The two sides have increased mutual visits. These visits have contributed to enhancing understanding and trust between the two sides and at the same time strengthening the interest and support within the United States for the development of bilateral relations, the National Assembly Chairman stated.
Vietnamese National Assembly deputies and members of the Vietnam - US Parliamentary Friendship Group at the reception.
To promote the relationship in the coming time, the National Assembly Chairman hopes that the parliamentarians will continue to contribute more to deepen the relationship between the two countries and the two National Assemblies in the coming time.
The National Assembly Chairman expressed that the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, so there should be a corresponding relationship between the legislative bodies of the two countries because it is inevitable and the relationship between the National Assembly is a pillar promoting the general relationship between the two countries. Therefore, it is necessary to continue promoting the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-ranking delegations between the two National Assemblies. The Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly wishes to welcome the President of the Senate, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.
Research and establish regular dialogue mechanisms, exchange and coordination mechanisms between the two National Assemblies and their agencies; expand cooperation in various forms to help US and Vietnamese congressmen better understand the situation in each country, especially among young congressmen and congressional assistants...
Help promote the establishment of the Vietnam-friendly US Congressional Group, playing an important bridging role in promoting and supporting the US Government to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in accordance with the conditions of the two countries.
Strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest and bringing practical benefits
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks.
Regarding cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, the National Assembly Chairman said that this continues to be a bright spot in the relationship between the two countries. He thanked the US Government, Senate and House of Representatives for supporting Vietnam, making an important contribution to the process of reconciliation, healing and building trust between the two peoples, and opening up more opportunities for cooperation in other important areas. He hoped that the US Congress would continue to give high priority to cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war; increase the budget for overcoming dioxin hotspots, clearing bombs and mines, supporting people with disabilities and searching for and identifying the remains of Vietnamese martyrs. He also said that Vietnam will continue to fully cooperate with the US in the inventory of MIAs as it has done over the past 50 years, both through joint and unilateral activities.
Regarding economic, trade and investment cooperation, Vietnam has become one of the 7 largest trading partners of the United States and an important part of the regional supply chain; the United States is the second largest trading partner and the largest export market of Vietnam. The National Assembly Chairman asked the US Congress to support the maintenance of stable and long-term trade relations between the two countries, creating a favorable environment for business investment and encouraging business activities.
He said that Vietnam has undergone nearly 40 years of Renovation, and now has a highly open economy, has participated in 19 free trade agreements with over 60 countries, and hundreds of US businesses are doing business in Vietnam. Vietnam is also one of the 20 most successful countries in attracting FDI. Currently, a number of countries including the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Australia have recognized the fact that Vietnam has a market economy. With that reality, the National Assembly Chairman proposed that the US soon remove Vietnam from the list of non-market economies; hoping that US congressmen will support promoting this issue, because this is also the legitimate aspiration of businesses and people of the two countries.
US Congressmen at the reception.
Regarding security and defense cooperation, we highly appreciate the maintenance of a pace of defense and security cooperation that is appropriate to the needs and desires of both sides, in line with the current international and regional context. We thank the United States for continuing to transfer equipment to help improve maritime and aviation security capacity. We propose that both sides gradually expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest and benefit such as security, counter-terrorism, transnational crime, and cyber security.
Thanking the Congressmen for their attention and the support of the US Congress for the Vietnamese community in the US, the National Assembly Chairman asked the Congressmen to continue to pay attention and create conditions for the Vietnamese community in the US to integrate, grow, and contribute to the relationship between the two countries.
Regarding regional issues, the National Assembly Chairman stated that Vietnam highly appreciates the US's support for Vietnam and ASEAN's stance on the East Sea. Vietnam hopes that the US Congress will continue to maintain a high level of interest in the East Sea issue; continue to support Vietnam and countries in the region to improve their maritime capacity; and encourage US oil and gas enterprises to carry out legal exploration and exploitation activities in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Vietnam highly appreciates the Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP) and thanks the US for strengthening cooperation and supporting the region over the past years. Emphasizing that water security and climate change adaptation are issues of concern to Vietnam, it hopes that the US Congress will continue to prioritize Mekong sub-regional cooperation and coordinate contributions to the Mekong-US Partnership Action Plan for the 2024-2026 period.
Efforts to get closer togetherAgreeing and appreciating the opinion of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on the relationship between the two countries and the relationship between the two countries' legislative bodies, the congressmen said that this US Congressional Delegation not only includes congressmen from both houses of the US Congress but also representatives of the two largest political parties in the US, representatives of the States, sectors, etc., showing their interest and goal of cooperation with Vietnam. The congressmen also acknowledged that the two sides have made many efforts to get closer together in the past time and said that the upgraded relationship between the two countries is the basis for promoting cooperation on all channels.
US Congressmen at the reception.
The US congressmen said that the two sides have many common interests and there are many areas and opportunities for cooperation and accompanying each other in the development process. They pointed out the potential for cooperation in the fields of clean fuel, renewable energy, LNG, energy transition, digital transformation, green transformation, high technology, environment, climate change response, aerospace, high-performance sports cooperation, cooperation between localities of the two countries; promoting the legacy of Senator John McCain - a friend of Vietnam in the effort to strengthen cooperation between the two countries...
Reality shows that the United States highly values Vietnam and cares about the Vietnamese market. The two sides have continuously promoted trade exchanges with increasingly high standards for import and export goods. American businesses are interested in business opportunities and the business environment in Vietnam.
The parliamentarians in the delegation all affirmed their desire to further promote bilateral relations, strengthen parliamentary cooperation, especially between specialized committees and parliamentarians; emphasize the role and responsibility of both sides, including parliamentarians, in maintaining peace and opening up development opportunities for everyone; and hope to have more opportunities for frank and in-depth exchanges to promote cooperation. Emphasizing the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation, the parliamentarians said that once Vietnam succeeds, the United States will also succeed.
Delegates attended the meeting.
Discussing further issues of concern to parliamentarians, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue stated that Vietnam is a latecomer, so Vietnam needs to move faster to shorten the development gap with other countries in the world. Therefore, innovation based on science and technology, associated with education and training is a strategic priority for Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam's digital economy has the fastest growth rate in the region but only reaches 16% of GDP. Vietnam sets a target of digital economy reaching 20% of GDP by 2025, and 30% of GDP by 2030. Therefore, Vietnam is interested in building and perfecting institutions for innovation, encouraging large corporations to invest in establishing innovation centers, research and development centers in Vietnam. At the same time, focusing on controlled testing (sandbox) for implementation in various fields; the sharing economic model is applied and strongly developed in Vietnam. During this process, Vietnam wishes to learn from the experiences of leading countries such as the United States in these fields, as well as continue to support Vietnam in training high-quality human resources; support technology, provide green finance and coordinate a roadmap to implement Vietnam's commitments at COP-26.
Some pictures at the meeting:
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America Marc E. Knapper.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and US Congressmen.
Overview of the reception.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Members of the US Senate Delegation at the reception.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue presented souvenirs to delegates.
Bao Yen - Pham Thang - Vietnam National Assembly Portal
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