General Phan Van Giang invites new US Secretary of Defense to visit Vietnam

(NLDO) - During the phone call, Minister Phan Van Giang invited new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to officially visit Vietnam in 2025.

On the evening of February 7, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense , had a phone call with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

General Phan Van Giang during a phone call with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Photo: VNA

General Phan Van Giang congratulated Mr. Pete Hegseth on his appointment as the 29th US Secretary of Defense; affirmed that Vietnam implements a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralization, proactive and active international integration, is a friend, reliable partner, and responsible member of the international community; and always considers the US as one of the leading strategic partners.

General Phan Van Giang expressed his pleasure at the effective implementation of bilateral defense cooperation in many fields in recent times, in line with the general relationship between the two countries, as well as the results of the official visit to the US by the Vietnamese Minister of National Defense in September 2024.

Minister Phan Van Giang emphasized that cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war in recent times is a bright spot in the defense relationship between the two countries. The US’s continued commitment to mobilize resources to handle dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airport, support people with disabilities, overcome the consequences of bombs and mines, search for and collect the remains of Vietnamese martyrs, as well as the two sides’ cooperation in searching for US soldiers missing in action during the war is of great significance, contributing to putting the past behind and looking toward the future.

Vietnam-US relations

Minister Phan Van Giang expressed his hope that the two countries' defense ministries will continue to maintain delegation exchanges, high-level contacts, and existing consultation and dialogue mechanisms. The first step is to soon organize the 13th Defense Policy Dialogue in Vietnam.

In 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Vietnam-US relations (1995-2025), General Phan Van Giang hopes that the two countries' Ministries of Defense will carry out meaningful cooperation activities, contributing to marking this important event.

On this occasion, Minister Phan Van Giang respectfully invited Mr. Pete Hegseth to officially visit Vietnam in 2025.

Mr. Pete Hegseth expressed his pleasure in having a phone call with General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam; affirmed that the administration of President Donald Trump highly values and values the cooperative relationship with Vietnam; hopes to continue to further promote the Vietnam - US cooperative relationship in general and the bilateral defense cooperation in particular in the coming time; through the agreed contents, focusing on cooperation activities to overcome the consequences of war.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/dai-tuong-phan-van-giang-moi-tan-bo-truong-quoc-phong-my-tham-viet-nam-19625020805082765.htm