US Ambassador Marc Knapper reviews milestones in Vietnam-US relations. Video: US Embassy
At the time in 2020 when Vietnam and the US celebrated the 25th anniversary of normalization of relations, former Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink talked about the "extraordinary" and "not accidental miracle" that Vietnam and the US achieved from former enemies to friends and partners. By 2023, the two sides continued to upgrade their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Ambassador witnessed that "miracle" being continued during President Joe Biden's visit. Could you please share your feelings? - Upgrading the relationship "two levels" this year, straight from Comprehensive Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is certainly extraordinary. It is very important, but I am not sure if I can call it a "miracle", but as you said, it is more like a "not accidental miracle". A miracle happens when no action is taken, while in reality for us, I think we all know that to upgrade the relationship like this requires a lot of people to work tirelessly for many years, both in Vietnam and the US. That is thanks to the vision that both sides shared before the upgrade, whether it is trade and investment relations, security, issues related to climate, energy, or from education to people-to-people exchanges…
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden hold talks and press conference on September 10, 2023. Photo: Hai Nguyen Our efforts over many years have borne fruit, and they also reflect our shared vision for our future. It is a future in which we share prosperity and security, and hope to create a better world for our children and future generations in both countries.
On the afternoon of September 11, 2023, at the Presidential Palace, President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception for US President Joe Biden on the occasion of his State visit to Vietnam. Photo: Hai Nguyen. What new opportunities does the upgraded relationship open up for bilateral cooperation, because before the upgrade, the Ambassador once said that the relationship between the US and Vietnam was strategic and comprehensive? - I am sure that we have every right to expect an acceleration of existing areas of cooperation and expansion into new areas of cooperation. Recently, the US and its partners have committed to funding Vietnam's equitable energy transition. In addition, the US is also committed to cooperating with Vietnam as you develop a high-tech economy, focusing on creating an ecosystem that is favorable for the production of semiconductors and other high-tech goods. Of course, Vietnam is already one of the world's leaders in semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging, but we want to cooperate to help Vietnam move up the semiconductor value chain so that Vietnam can attract even more investment, even in higher-tech areas. The United States is the largest donor to the $15.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which includes U.S. banks, U.S. companies, U.S. foundations and organizations. All of these, whether high-tech investments, workforce development, education and training, clean energy transitions, will contribute to a new effort to create a high-tech ecosystem that we hope will bring greater prosperity to the people of Vietnam.
The upgrading of relations is not just empty talk but is associated with a series of trade and cooperation agreements at a new level, especially in high-tech industries. How have those agreements been implemented on the US side? Vietnam once declared that it would "clear its nest to welcome the eagles", do the "American eagles" have any specific plans, Ambassador? - As I said above, the reason we use the word "ecosystem" is because it is really a collection of different efforts, of course, it will include investment from US companies. Some of the most famous and high-tech companies in the US such as Intel are present here; Amkor has inaugurated the world's largest semiconductor factory of the group in Vietnam. We are committed to cooperating with Vietnam to develop a workforce of 50,000 to 80,000 engineers, computer scientists, new high-tech human resources.
US President Joe Biden during his state visit to Vietnam on September 11, 2023. Photo: Hai Nguyen. Shortly after President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam and the announcement of the upgrade of bilateral relations, a large US delegation attended the opening of the National Innovation Center, including representatives of US companies, the US Semiconductor Industry Association. We want to be part of the National Innovation Center - the innovation center for Vietnam’s high-tech manufacturing industries. Similar to the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park, this is another area where you will see the US focusing on dedicating resources, encouraging US companies to consider and invest, cooperate… These are just small examples that show that this upgrade is not just a symbol. It is not just empty words, it is the work that we are doing with Vietnam, with the common goal of creating prosperity and helping Vietnam play a more comprehensive and important role in the semiconductor and high-tech ecosystem, not only in the region but also globally.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US President Joe Biden attend the Vietnam-US Summit on Investment and Innovation, September 11, 2023. Photo: Hai Nguyen. 
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with US President Joe Biden on September 11, 2023. Photo: Hai Nguyen. 
Last October, when I visited the US, I had the opportunity to visit the Vietnam War Memorial and felt very sad. The Ambassador’s relatives also experienced this war. Please share your personal story and your comments on the story of reconciliation and trust between the two countries.
The wall is engraved with the names of American soldiers who died in the Vietnam War. Photo: Van Anh. - Thank you for taking the time to visit the Memorial, it was a very meaningful gesture. Yes, my father was a soldier in Vietnam in 1966-1967, he spent a few months in the south of Da Nang, then 10 months in Quang Tri. When I was growing up, he often talked to me about that difficult time, but he also often talked about his desire to return to this country one day. In fact, I have welcomed him to visit Vietnam three times. The first time was in 2004 when I had only been in Vietnam for a few months as a counselor at the US Embassy in Hanoi, I welcomed him here and I think he was very pleased and surprised. Surprised not only because of the warm welcome but also because he saw with his own eyes how prosperous, peaceful and friendly Vietnam has become to the US. So, although the war was a difficult time for him and other veterans, and of course, it was a difficult time for the country and the people of Vietnam, I think the visits of American veterans like my father have always been seen as part of the reconciliation process between the two countries, as well as building goodwill, mutual understanding and increasing trust. In 2023, Vietnam and the US also celebrated the 35th anniversary of the joint operation to search for US soldiers missing in action (MIA). Recently, the US has also launched a number of initiatives to support Vietnam in searching for and identifying the remains of martyrs through DNA analysis. We have also spent many years working to clean up dioxin contamination and help victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam. Such efforts are purely humanitarian in nature, something the United States believes is necessary and not based on any other political considerations, to address the legacy of war, promote reconciliation, friendship and mutual understanding.
US Ambassador Marc Knapper with leading Vietnamese-American businessmen. Photo: US Embassy. What was your impression of the Ambassador's return to the United States last year and his meeting with the Vietnamese community? What did the Ambassador think about the Vietnamese community in the United States? - I went to Los Angeles and Orange County to meet with leaders of the Vietnamese American community. You know, 2.4 million Vietnamese Americans are currently in the United States, from all walks of life in many different parts of the country. Among the people I met, I felt eagerness and excitement in them, first of all about upgrading the relationship between the two countries. When the relationship becomes strong and solid, there will immediately be potential economic opportunities. The Vietnamese American community has a lot of potential entrepreneurs in various fields, whether it is health care or high technology, they are looking to really invest. I just want to emphasize that what I sense is a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm about the upgrade and what it means for even closer ties, not only between the United States and Vietnam, but also between Vietnam and the Vietnamese American community. During my recent visit to the United States, I was impressed by the sharing of many US government officials that the United States does not force countries to choose sides but wants to ensure that countries have the right to choose. On the other hand, why does the United States “choose” Vietnam? - The United States wants to ensure that countries have the right to choose, to seek to promote their own security, their own prosperity, to be free to make their own development choices. That is true for Vietnam as well as anyone else. Vietnam has its own aspirations and we work together to help Vietnam realize those aspirations. Whether it is the aspiration to become a NET ZERO nation by 2050, to become a high-income country by 2045, to add 80,000 high-tech workers by 2030… The United States is proud to be a partner with Vietnam and we hope to help Vietnam continue to chart a path to realize its aspirations.
US Ambassador Marc Knapper attended the Vietnam - US Friendship Exchange on December 2, 2023. Photo: US Embassy. Ambassador, please share your feelings about Vietnamese Tet? - This is the third year I celebrate Tet in Vietnam. The first time I came to Vietnam was at the end of January 2022, also during Tet, but I was jet-lagged so I didn't really feel much. I experienced Tet more fully last year, and this year is the third year. I really enjoy the taste of Vietnamese Tet and have had beautiful memories and warm joy when celebrating Tet with family and friends. Thank you very much, Ambassador!
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