Three Decades of Bilateralism and Strategic Convergence

Strengthening Pillars of Institutional Cooperation

Ambassador Knapper identified education as a fundamental pillar of the bilateral framework. The year 2025 witnessed the arrival of the most significant delegation of U.S. higher education institutions to date, an initiative aimed at broadening academic exchange and fostering institutional synergies.

“I take immense pride in the continued appeal of American academic institutions to Vietnamese scholars,” Ambassador Knapper remarked. He noted that with approximately 36,000 Vietnamese students currently enrolled in the U.S., Vietnam maintains its position as the fifth-largest source of international students.

In the aspect of cultural diplomacy, the 30th-anniversary commemorative series sought to align the historical narratives of both nations. This included four "Friendship Festivals" and a cross-cultural artistic collaboration with rapper Suboi on the music video “Never Before,” designed to celebrate the socio-cultural bonds between the two populaces.

Furthermore, the U.S. released a comprehensive policy report entitled “Vietnam Matters for America/America Matters for Vietnam,” utilizing quantitative data to underscore the strategic interdependence of the relationship. This was complemented by a historical retrospective organized in conjunction with the National Archives Center III, documenting three decades of collaborative development.

Advancing Toward a Secure and Prosperous Furture

The Ambassador emphasized that the partnership is increasingly defined by cooperation in non-traditional security sectors, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and the remediation of war legacies. “In recent months, the U.S. has allocated 1.75 million USD in aid to Vietnam. Furthermore, the inaugural ‘Pacific Rangers’ program—a joint initiative between the U.S. Army Pacific and Quang Tri Province—was launched to enhance medical readiness and disaster mitigation capabilities,” he stated.

Knapper further highlighted the operationalization of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training facility at the Vietnam National Mine Action Center and the substantive progress in dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase. These efforts reflect a dual-track diplomacy: addressing historical grievances while simultaneously advancing a forward-looking bilateral agenda.

In the economic sphere, bilateral trade volume has eclipsed the 150 billion USD threshold, with the U.S. maintaining its status as Vietnam’s primary export destination. Cooperation is also pivoting toward high-tech sectors, including agricultural technology, the digital economy, and national digital transformation. Leading U.S. technology conglomerates are currently collaborating with Vietnamese governmental agencies and academic centers to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure and cultivate a high-capacity human resource pool.

Looking toward the future, Ambassador Knapper expressed a strategic vision for deepening the partnership to ensure a secure, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. He concluded his address with a cordial sentiment: “I wish you a secure, prosperous, and inspiring New Year.”