On the afternoon of September 11, two veteran diplomats on Vietnam-US relations participated in a discussion on "Results of President Joe Biden's state visit to Vietnam" organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper.
Guests attending the discussion: Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong (left cover) and Mr. Bui The Giang - Photo: DANH KHANG
During the visit, the two countries' leaders agreed to upgrade Vietnam-US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
On the afternoon of September 11, Tuoi Tre Online organized a discussion on the results of President Joe Biden's state visit to Vietnam.
Guests attending the talk show:
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong - former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US (2011-2014). - Mr. Bui The Giang - Vice President of the Vietnam - US Association, former Director of the Western Europe - North America Department (Central Party Committee's Foreign Affairs Commission).Historic visit
* Please give your assessment of the results of President Joe Biden's visit and the official upgrading of the two countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Mr. Bui The Giang: First of all, this visit is the first time a US president has visited Vietnam at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. I would like to expand a little further, this is also the first time in the political history of the United States and perhaps the world that a president of a large country like the United States has accepted a state visit invitation from the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party. That is a very unique and special point of this trip.
It was said to be two days, but in reality it was just over a day with a short time and very busy schedules of both the host and the guest. The biggest, highest, and most important result of the visit was that both sides agreed to elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership .
If we briefly say that it is a comprehensive strategic partnership, it is not enough to see everything, but if we compare it with the English version, which is a comprehensive strategic partnership for the goal of peace, cooperation and sustainable development, it can be said that the two countries are very much in agreement with each other in their thinking, approach and strategic vision.
Especially if we consider the context of the world and regional situation which the Party's document stated is "rapid, complicated, unpredictable" and the two countries still agreed on those things (upgrading relations), that is the greatest result of this visit.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong presided over the welcoming ceremony for President Joe Biden at the Presidential Palace on the afternoon of September 10 - Photo: NAM TRAN
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong: I also think like Ambassador Giang. This is an unprecedented visit, not only for the two countries, but for the whole world.
This reminds me of President Truong Tan Sang's visit to the US (in 2013) during my term as ambassador to the US. At that time, the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership.
This Joint Statement on Elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership also reiterates the principles in the 2013 Joint Statement, in which the two countries emphasized respect for the United Nations Charter, international law, respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, especially respect for each other's political institutions.
President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam at the invitation of the General Secretary further confirms that, because the highest leader of the Vietnamese political system is the General Secretary of the Communist Party. I think that if there is no precedent, we will create a precedent, and maybe in the future many other countries will follow Vietnam's precedent, I hope so.
The greatest and most comprehensive result of the visit was that the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership for the goals of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
Firstly , Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is the highest level of relationship between Vietnam and other countries. Up to now, Vietnam has Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, China, India and South Korea. These are partners of primary importance in Vietnam's foreign policy and development.
The second is “for the goal of peace, cooperation and sustainable development”. I think this clause is not only included in bilateral relations, but also implies that the relationship between Vietnam and the US is for peace, cooperation and development of the region and the world.
Upgrading relationships is inevitable
* How do you evaluate the two countries' direct upgrade from Comprehensive Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership? It is clear that the development of bilateral relations between the two countries from the infancy stage has gradually shaped a strategic trust?
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong : Personally, I divide the Vietnam - US relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1995 into two stages.
Phase 1 from 1995 to 2013 - when the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership. This was the process of the two countries initially building trust because the two countries had just gone through war, the US also had a long period of siege and embargo on Vietnam, normalized relations but suspicions still abounded.
Phase 2 from 2013 to present, or 10 years, is a process of qualitative change. The trust between the two sides has been significantly enhanced and consolidated, on that basis we have been able to move towards the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as it is today.
I have not found a definition of the concept of strategic trust, but it is clear that the trust between the two sides has been significantly strengthened, and that is the basis for upgrading the relationship.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong shared at the discussion on the afternoon of September 11 of Tuoi Tre Online newspaper - Photo: DANH KHANG
- Mr. Bui The Giang: I agree with the comment that when upgrading the relationship from Comprehensive Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, it feels like we have "jumped" a level.
Last night (September 10), I sat with Mr. John Kerry (US President’s special climate envoy) – a great friend of Vietnam. My American friend said that the relationship between the two countries has been raised one level, but I replied: “No, it has been raised two levels.”
However, I would like to look back at Vietnam's diplomatic relations. This year we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations with 21 countries, of which we have had strategic partnerships with 17 countries. All 17 countries have actually gone from diplomatic relations to strategic partnerships, not through comprehensive partnerships. That is, no one has said the order (in diplomatic relations), it depends entirely on the specific relationship (with the countries).
In Vietnam's specific relationship with the US, I strongly agree with Ambassador Cuong on dividing this relationship into stages, especially in the second stage.
In terms of breadth, the Comprehensive Partnership means that there is no area in which we cannot be partners, that is the meaning of the word “comprehensive”. In terms of depth, if we consider economic and trade development as the fundamental pillar of the pillars in Vietnam’s relations with any country, we can see how much the total trade turnover between Vietnam and the US has increased.
Looking back at 2022, when COVID-19 was only considered stable by mid-year, the global supply chain was disrupted, labor, employment, and people's income were severely affected, yet the total two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the US reached 123.86 billion USD. If viewed objectively, this is a very large number for a country whose GDP for the whole year of 2022 was only 409 billion.
For me, a lifelong foreign policy officer, I want to look at how that total trade turnover, especially the trade surplus between Vietnam and the US of 91.94 billion USD in 2022, has helped millions of people have jobs, have income, and have their children receive a good education. That is a very positive contribution to the stability of social order.
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong: Of the figure the US mentioned, 139 billion USD, Vietnam's exports alone reached 100 billion USD. Vietnam's trade surplus with the US also contributes to balancing Vietnam's trade balance with other countries.
It is true that in foreign affairs, we do not need to rank. If we are already a leading partner, then upgrading our comprehensive strategic partnership with the US is inevitable.
The US proactively drafted the Joint Statement.
* Please point out the highlights of the Joint Statement. What new cooperation spaces will be opened from here?
- Mr. Bui The Giang: If we compare this Joint Statement with the Joint Statement 10 years ago, we can clearly see which point is more brilliant.
The Joint Statement 10 years ago outlined nine pillars, but this time the Joint Statement has ten issues - meaning there are some differences, more than before. The nine pillars are also reiterated with much more depth.
For example, in political and diplomatic relations, there was a point that was declared 10 years ago and mentioned more specifically when General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited the US in 2015, but I am afraid that few people paid attention, which is "strengthening cooperation between political parties".
In the United States, there are many parties, but only two major parties take turns in power: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. I express my absolute belief that both parties are in agreement on strengthening relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam, with Vietnam, and with the Vietnamese people.
Mr. Bui The Giang revealed the behind-the-scenes story of Mr. Biden's visit to Vietnam in the afternoon discussion on September 11 - Photo: DANH KHANG
So what is new? I would say it is about science and technology, about numbers, about innovation. If we follow the speeches of both the General Secretary and President Joe Biden in the talks and in the press conference, both leaders emphasized the new breakthrough in the relationship between the two countries, which is innovation, digital transformation, and science and technology.
The Joint Statement mentioned Fulbright University. With yesterday (September 10), HDBank signed a $20 million loan agreement with the US Government, and with Ho Chi Minh City creating conditions for (Fulbright University) to have a new, spacious campus in Thu Duc, I assure that it will be a very important foundation for this university to truly take off, creating a new atmosphere that will not only impact the entire education system of Vietnam but also the entire region.
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong: I also see the biggest highlight as the announcement of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Joint Statement also reaffirms the basic principles in the relationship between Vietnam and the US as in the 2013 Joint Statement, and also reaffirms nine cooperation contents but at a higher level, as Ambassador Giang analyzed and I strongly agree.
Within these contents, there are also many new issues, for example, science and technology has identified a series of key issues. The content of cooperation on health and environment has now expanded to include climate, energy, energy transition, and environment.
A very important point is that the two countries' coordination in this regional and international forum has resulted in very specific cooperation content.
Trust and harmony between the two leaders
* What will be the important foundation for the development of Vietnam - US relations now and in the future?
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong: That foundation is trust, only with trust can there be substantive and effective cooperation. Through this visit, I think that the political trust between the two countries has been further strengthened.
At the reception hosted by President Vo Van Thuong for Mr. Joe Biden on September 11, the President also emphasized that this is a "model" in relations between countries.
In addition, whether or not to cooperate with each other is based on whether or not national interests overlap. The upgrading of relations between the two countries demonstrates the overlapping interests in bilateral relations, and the two countries also have many compatible views on international and regional issues as stated in the Joint Statement.
Here, both countries recognize global challenges that no country can solve on its own, such as economic, trade, investment, and global supply chains. The US wants to diversify the global supply chain. Vietnam has other strengths and forces.
Previously, we were not able to participate in that supply chain. Now, Vietnam has become a dynamic economy after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi, ranked 36th globally, is the 7th largest trading partner of the US, and we also have a very large market with 100 million people. We are in a different position to be able to cooperate equally and share benefits between the two sides (with the US).
Since normalization in 1995, or as President Joe Biden mentioned further, 50 years since the Paris Agreement (1973) on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam, we have made great strides to start looking further into the future.
Overview of Tuoi Tre Online's discussion on the afternoon of September 11 - Photo: DANH KHANG
- Mr. Bui The Giang: That's right, to have that model, there must be a solid foundation, which is the two sides declaring "respect for the United Nations Charter, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime of each other".
I remember General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong himself mentioned in a press conference: this foundation leads to the need to promote economic, trade and investment relations in the direction of innovation. I just mentioned education and training, if it is not based on innovation, it will become obsolete, not leading to the development of education, of Vietnamese people, meeting the new requirements of the new society.
Or as Ambassador Cuong just said, national security, climate change, agriculture, green and clean energy - all develop on this foundation. And what is very interesting is that if we read the Joint Statement carefully, we will see many commitments from the US side to support Vietnam in promoting and developing (high-tech) facilities. What we develop from now on will be based on innovation, science and technology.
Associated with the phrase Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is “sustainable development”. That must be based on innovation. We will have time to think more and understand more clearly the intentions and visions of the leaders of the two countries in the Joint Statement. At the present time, it is enough to see that the vision is expressed in a very meaningful, profound and far-sighted way.
* President Biden has a very busy schedule, but he still arranged his schedule to pay a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. This reflects the importance that the US and President Biden attach to the role of Vietnam. Please comment on this.
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong: The US side has also made this assessment public. Ambassador Giang also mentioned the unity within the US, although they are polarized on many issues, they have a high consensus on developing relations with Vietnam.
The evidence is that since the normalization of relations, five US presidents have visited Vietnam, including three Democratic presidents (Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden) and two Republican presidents (George W. Bush, Donald Trump). This shows that both parties want to strengthen relations with Vietnam.
At the press conference, Mr. Biden also clearly affirmed that Vietnam plays a very important role in the region and the world. It is also regrettable that Mr. Joe Biden could not attend the recent ASEAN Summit due to his busy schedule. However, he still made time to visit Vietnam, especially when he visited at the invitation of the General Secretary. Some of my American friends believe that this shows that the US values and respects Vietnam very much.
In this Joint Statement, the US also emphasized the importance of ASEAN's central role. I think that is also Vietnam's practical contribution to the region.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden on the afternoon of September 10 - Photo: HAI HUY
- Mr. Bui The Giang: I want to look at the human perspective. When I was interviewed by the Vietnamese press before the election that made Mr. Biden the US president, I said that Mr. Biden's background and family circumstances made him who he is.
When he became president, I saw a high level of humanity in his leadership and his view of Vietnam. I saw a harmony in his thinking and feelings with the Vietnamese people. Right from that interview, before the election results, I said that Mr. Biden is a person who cares about and likes Vietnam. That is also a big plus for Mr. Biden's visit this time.
And it seems we are also a rare country where only halfway through the US administration's term, both the president and vice president have visited.
In addition to our rising position, in addition to the fact that the US is interested in this region and appreciates Vietnam, there is also the fact that Ms. Kamala Harris is also of Asian origin (Indian), so she has a connection with us. Especially during her visit in August 2021, her visit to the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology was an unplanned activity, but that itself speaks to the very human concern of a high-ranking leader.
* May I ask Mr. Bui The Giang - who accompanied the General Secretary on his historic visit to the US in 2015. The General Secretary was solemnly received by Mr. Joe Biden (then Vice President). Are there any special memories or moments from the visit that you will always remember? Witnessing the reunion of the two leaders in Vietnam in a historic event in the relationship between the two countries, what is your assessment and feeling?
- Mr. Bui The Giang: Talking about Vietnam - US relations, considering the past 20 years of the Vietnam War, looking at 48 years after the war, 28 years after the normalization of relations, 10 years of establishing a Comprehensive Partnership, the fact that Mr. Biden - formerly vice president, now president and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong have these meetings and bonds is very special.
In 2015, to have a high-level meeting with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and four cabinet ministers (the US has ministers who are not cabinet members) was already special. The reception, originally planned to be hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry, was suddenly announced at the last minute when preparing to end the meeting that Vice President Biden would host the reception. It was a surprise, a great joy, and a touching moment for all those present, not only Vietnamese but also Americans and Vietnamese Americans.
Then we have to mention the phone calls between the two leaders. Then when General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was elected to a third term by the 13th Congress, President Joe Biden sent a congratulatory letter. Those are special stories.
When meeting again in Vietnam this time, both the General Secretary and President Biden said that they were "very happy to see each other again", and Mr. Biden used the English word "great" - meaning wonderful, great. That was sincere!
Many new cooperation opportunities
* Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong, you were the Vietnamese Ambassador to the US when the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership. So how do you evaluate the relationship between the two countries in general over the past 10 years?
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong: Remembering when we were preparing for the visit of President Truong Tan Sang to establish a Comprehensive Partnership in 2013, I understand that at that time, within the two countries, especially Vietnam, there was no consensus from the beginning, and it was still in the stage of persuasion to establish a relationship. That is understandable because it was the stage of building trust.
Saying so shows that the relationship between the two countries in recent times has had "strong, substantive and effective developments" as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated in the press conference after the talks.
I have also mentioned that it is a development in both quality and quantity. President Ho Chi Minh also paid great attention to educational and cultural cooperation with the United States. Less than two months after reading the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, on November 1, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh wrote to Secretary of State James Byrnes to propose recommending 50 young Vietnamese intellectuals to the United States for cultural exchange. To date, the number of Vietnamese students studying in the United States is 30,000.
I have had the opportunity to visit many states in the US and meet many Vietnamese students and researchers in the US, which is a very important resource for Vietnam. This is a bright spot in the relationship.
US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attend the Vietnam - US Summit on Investment and Innovation on September 11 - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH
* What outstanding economic and trade opportunities will the upgraded relationship and the many newly signed contracts bring to Vietnamese people and businesses when investing in the US, sir?
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong: When the two countries express their desire to cooperate more strongly in economics, trade and investment, it is a two-way cooperation. However, whether Vietnamese enterprises can invest in the US or not is still a long story because they have to understand the laws and rules of the US market.
Yesterday, Mr. Biden also mentioned a Vietnamese company that invested $4 billion in an electric car factory in North Carolina, creating 7,000 jobs for American workers. In the future, there will be more such companies investing in the US, and there will be more companies listed on the US stock exchange.
* President Biden is accompanied by many large American businesses this time. Is this a sign that the US will increase business and investment in Vietnam even more after the two countries upgrade their relationship?
- Mr. Bui The Giang: I would like to share my personal thoughts. Firstly, the strong point in the Vietnam-US economic and trade relationship is that the two economies are highly complementary, not competing against each other. Therefore, I see that not only now but also in the long term, there is still a lot of room for Vietnam and the US to develop mutually beneficially, including both the public and private sectors, government and non-government.
Second, I have a different perspective on business delegations following leaders to visit. In March this year, there were no leaders but a delegation of more than 50 leading US businesses still came to Vietnam (to explore investment and business opportunities). Such steady and continuous development is the only way to ensure sustainable development in the future, especially when the two countries have upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which means having new depth and breadth.
I believe that the two governments and two political systems will create better conditions for businesses to develop, which will bring long-term benefits to both peoples.
Representative of Tuoi Tre newspaper presented flowers to two guest experts attending the discussion on the afternoon of September 11 - Photo: DANH KHANG
Vietnam is the core of the high-tech ecosystem
* How do you think about the shaping of high -tech ecosystems in the area based on Vietnam -USA after upgrading the relationship? - Mr. Bui The Giang: I want to look very specific. We can understand that it is beneficial for Vietnam because CDC is high technology. It is part of what you call the technological ecosystem. And I assure that not only the country is the core, the background, the place where this ecosystem is beneficial, but the country cooperates and invests in is also beneficial. So this is a bright spot not only of bilateral relations but also the region, here I talk about the East Asia and the Asia -Pacific region.The name says it all
If you can talk about the future of Vietnam -US relations in about ten words, what is that?
- Mr. Bui The Giang : I see 3 words "Peace", "Cooperation", "Comprehensive development" in the name of the new relationship upgraded.
- Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong : I also think so much.
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