On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations, for the first time documents related to the process of normalizing diplomatic relations between the two countries are introduced to the public.
These include President William Jefferson Clinton's Statement on the Establishment of Normal Relations with Vietnam, announced at the White House on July 11, 1995, currently preserved at the US National Archives; Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet's Statement on July 12, 1995 on President Bill Clinton's decision to normalize relations, currently preserved at the National Archives Center III...
On July 10, the National Archives Center III under the State Records and Archives Department organized a document exhibition “30 years of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations” to give the public the most comprehensive view of this journey.
Many documents are published for the first time.
Document archiving plays a quiet but extremely important role. The files, documents, diplomatic letters, and minutes of talks carefully preserved in the archives of both Vietnam and the United States are clear evidence of the cooperation process between the two sides.
The documents were extracted from the National Archives Center III, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency, the US Embassy in Vietnam, Texas Tech University - USA and historical witnesses, reflecting important milestones and cooperation efforts in the fields of politics , economics, culture, science, education, health, defense...
In addition, the exhibition also introduces some war relics documents that were returned for the first time to veterans and relatives of martyrs' families, currently kept at the Vietnam Center and Archives, Texas Tech University, USA.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Cao Huy, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, affirmed that the display of documents and the return of evidence files is not only an opportunity to look back on the 30-year journey full of impressions, but also an emotional and humane moment, contributing to strengthening and further developing the Vietnam-US relationship in the new era.
Reviewing the milestones in the relationship between the two countries, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1995, the signing of the Bilateral Trade Agreement in 2000, the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership in 2013 and especially the upgrading to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development in 2023, Mr. Cao Huy emphasized that this is an achievement reflecting the maturity of trust, long-term interests and in line with the aspirations of the people of the two countries.
“The exhibition not only recreates the 30-year journey of formation and development of the relationship between the two countries, but also sends a message about a future of stable cooperation, together moving towards peace and prosperity,” the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs affirmed.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Dang Thanh Tung, Director of the Department of Records and Archives, said that the event not only helps the public look back on the 30-year journey of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations, but also contributes to strengthening the cooperative and development relationship between the two countries stronger than ever.
“With memories preserved, with cooperation nurtured by goodwill and responsibility, the Vietnam-US relationship promises a bright future, for the benefit of the people of both countries, and for a peaceful, stable, humane and developed world,” said Mr. Dang Thanh Tung.
Expanding opportunities to heal the wounds of war
The search for missing soldiers during the war in Vietnam is expected to be more favorable after a series of activities on July 10 at the National Archives Center III, with the active participation of many archives and humanitarian organizations from Vietnam and the United States.
On this occasion, the National Archives Center III in collaboration with the Vietnam-US Association, the Soldier's Heart Organization, the "Forever 20" Club and the Vietnam Center, Texas Tech University, USA, returned war relics to the relatives of 22 martyrs and a number of veterans.
Many relatives of martyrs were moved to tears when they saw the files and memorabilia of their loved ones, including Ms. Tran Thu Ha, niece of martyr Tran Van Phu (file F034602421337). The returned files included an ID card and a calendar with the name of Tran Van Phu - Platoon Leader, Unit 90 Regiment, Division 324.
Ms. Tran Thu Ha shared with emotion: “After many years of searching, our family has not yet found the remains of martyr Tran Van Phu. When we received the invitation to attend today's ceremony, our family was very moved and grateful. We feel like a part of my uncle's soul has returned to the family. After many years of searching, the family has narrowed down the coordinates of the place where he died, and we hope that after this occasion, the local authorities will allow us to search for his remains there.”
The files returned to relatives are only a small part of the archives of the Vietnam Center at Texas Tech University, USA.
According to information from the Organizing Committee, the Vietnam Center currently has a microfilm archive with nearly 3 million pages of handwritten notes, images of relics, and memorabilia of the Northern Army and the Southern Liberation Army during the resistance war, before 1975. This is a valuable source of information and data about Vietnamese martyrs who died or went missing during the war. Vietnamese and US agencies have made efforts to search for archival documents to find information, relics, and evidence of the war to return to the families of both sides. The Vietnam Center has also given the National Archives Center III more than 200 similar files.
Previously, the US delegation led by Mr. Kelly McKeague, Director of the US Department of Defense's Prisoner of War and Missing in Action (MIA) Accounting Agency, also had a working session with the Director of the Vietnam State Records and Archives Department Dang Thanh Tung and the National Archives Center III on promoting connections and searching for information on Vietnamese and US soldiers missing in action during the war in Vietnam.
The MIA Director said that Vietnam has been very proactive in seeking information and coordinating the search for missing soldiers from the war. MIA is very grateful for that. With Vietnam's support, the United States has found 740 missing soldiers and returned them to their families. Currently, the United States still has 1,157 soldiers missing from the war in Vietnam.
Speaking at the ceremony, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper affirmed that the return of war documents and relics contained profound stories about human connection, sharing and reconciliation.
The photos, artifacts and documents on display are not only slices of history, but also vivid evidence of the journey we have gone through, from war to trust and cooperation.
“This is a very humane activity and demonstrates the sense of responsibility and goodwill in the Vietnam-US relationship to overcome the consequences of war, contributing to strengthening trust, enhancing understanding and connection between the people of the two countries,” the Ambassador affirmed.
On this occasion, the US Embassy in Vietnam also presented 30 photos - symbolizing the number of years of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States, expressing respect and commitment to continue developing this friendly relationship.
According to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam-US Association, over the past 30 years, the diplomatic relations between the two countries have witnessed very strong developments. The two countries from two sides of a war have become friends, partners, then Comprehensive Partners and now Comprehensive Strategic Partners.
Relations have developed in all areas from politics, diplomacy to economics, trade, investment, national defense and security, culture, education, science and technology, people-to-people exchange and especially overcoming the consequences of war.
In particular, foreign affairs and people-to-people exchange have become a very meaningful part of the bilateral relationship before and during the past 30 years of bilateral relations, serving as the basis for building and continuously strengthening trust between the two countries.
According to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, the above achievements are not a coincidence but the result of great efforts and determination of the people and governments of both countries. First of all, it is an effort to heal the wounds of war, increase understanding, reconciliation and build trust. Along with that is the building of relationships based on equality, fairness, mutual benefit and intertwined interests.
With memories preserved, with cooperation nurtured by goodwill and responsibility, the Vietnam-US relationship promises a bright future, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, and for a peaceful, stable, humane and developed world./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/30-nam-quan-he-ngoai-giao-viet-nam-hoa-ky-gin-giu-ky-uc-boi-dap-tuong-lai-post1049004.vnp
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