HCMC – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong spoke on the phone with U.S. President Joe Biden yesterday, March 29.

The two sides expressed pleasure at having a chance to exchange views on the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive partnership.

They spoke highly of the comprehensive development of the bilateral relationship and agreed to promote, develop and deepen it more sustainably for the sake of both sides and peace, cooperation and development.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary proposed the two sides prioritize economic, scientific and technological cooperation as the central focus and driving force for their bilateral ties.

He expressed his hope that Vietnam and the U.S. will step up cooperation in defense and security, as well as strongly emphasize boosting bilateral trade and development in new areas such as logistics, digital economy, green transformation and healthcare.

Vietnam’s Party leader called on both nations to keep working on dealing with war legacies, enhancing UN peacekeeping activities, exchanging information and preventing crimes.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hoped Vietnamese youngsters would have more opportunities to study in the U.S. He highly appreciated the establishment of Fullbright Vietnam University as a high-quality training center in the region and thanked the U.S. for its support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnam welcomed the U.S. support of ASEAN’s central role and cooperation with ASEAN member states to promote the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, as well as participation in negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity in an open, inclusive, balanced and mutually beneficial manner.

The Party leader stated that Vietnam would appreciate international efforts, including those of the U.S., in climate change adaptation and hoped that the U.S. would continue to support Vietnam in this issue.

For his part, President Joe Biden affirmed Vietnam as a crucial partner of the U.S. and respected the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The U.S. commits to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and hopes for enhanced cooperation with Vietnam.

The two sides highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, stability and cooperation, ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation, avoiding the use or threat of force in international relations, implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon signing an efficient and effective Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden also reiterated their invitations for mutual high-level visits.

The Vietnam-U.S. bilateral trade was estimated at US$123 billion in 2022, up 11% compared to 2021. The U.S. has been the largest export market of Vietnam for many years, while Vietnam is the eighth largest trading partner of the U.S. worldwide.