MoFA: Vietnam ready to cooperate with US

Commenting on Vietnam-US ties at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on March 23, Hang said since its establishment a decade ago, the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership has developed extensively, effectively and substantially in bilateral, regional and international aspects. The two countries have maintained contacts, dialogues and exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level visits.  

In joint statements and meetings between the two countries’ leaders, Vietnam and the US consistently affirmed their commitment to respecting the United Nations Charter, international law, as well as independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime of each other. 

The US repeatedly expressed its support for a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has been a notable bright spot, with two-way trade reaching 123 billion USD in 2022, four times higher than that in 2013. The US has become Vietnam's first export market surpassing 100 billion USD in turnover while Vietnam has become the eighth largest trade partner of the US, she said.

According to her, the US's foreign direct investment in Vietnam reached 11.4 billion USD, placing the US at the 11th place among countries investing directly in Vietnam. Recently, a big US business delegation visited Vietnam. 

In addition to economy, trade and investment, positive progress has also been seen in other areas like COVID-19 response, post-pandemic recovery, sci-tech, education and environment. The US continues working with Vietnam in dealing with war consequences, improving legal enforcement capability at sea, and joining United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The two sides have been working more and more effectively at multilateral forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, APEC, the Mekong sub-region to address regional and global issues of common concern related to sustainable development and climate change, she said.

Regarding the nuclear submarine agreement within the framework of the UK-Australia-US Security Pact as well as attitudes of several ASEAN member states, Hang stated that nuclear energy needs to be used and developed for peaceful purposes and socio-economic development of countries. The use and development of nuclear energy must ensure absolute safety of humans and the environment.

She said Vietnam wishes that countries would take responsibility for positively contributing to this common goal, for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Regarding the information that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking a Vietnamese engineer for his alleged involvement in money laundering, Hang said that the relevant Vietnamese agencies are verifying and investigating the case.

She affirmed that Vietnam is a country with responsibility for the fight against cyber and transnational crimes. All acts of using cyberspace to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organisations, and individuals will be investigated and punished in accordance with the law.