Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluded a two-day visit to Vietnam on Monday, aiming to reassure a cautious partner with American pledges to intensify collaborative efforts healing the enduring wounds of the Vietnam War.
Secretary Hegseth announced that the United States would allocate an additional $130 million to tackle the lingering effects of herbicides like Agent Orange. These toxins, used by the American military to defoliate jungles decades ago, continue to cause birth defects in Vietnam.
Furthermore, the U.S. committed to bolstering Vietnam’s initiatives to locate its own soldiers missing from the war, leveraging cutting-edge DNA identification technologies.
These crucial programs had faced significant uncertainty earlier this year. The previous administration’s decision to dissolve the United States Agency for International Development resulted in a lengthy pause and job cuts. Even with the eventual resumption of U.S. funding, Vietnamese officials expressed doubts about America’s commitment. This skepticism was further fueled by subsequent trade disputes, with Hanoi still actively negotiating a final trade agreement.
During his visit, Secretary Hegseth appeared keen to address these anxieties, emphasizing that collaborative efforts on war legacy issues are a paramount priority and form the bedrock of a robust bilateral relationship.
As a symbolic gesture, following his discussions with Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang, Secretary Hegseth returned a knife, belt, and a leather box. These items were originally taken by U.S. soldiers from a Vietnamese bunker near Da Nang in 1968.
By invoking themes of shared suffering and reconciliation, he underscored the remarkable progress made by both nations since formal diplomatic ties were re-established in 1995.
“Over three decades, the U.S. and Vietnam have transformed from adversaries into comprehensive strategic partners,” stated Mr. Hegseth. “Our military collaboration stands as a testament to our friendship and mutual cooperation.”
The Defense Secretary’s visit to Vietnam, part of a broader tour that included meetings with other regional officials and a planned trip to South Korea, did not feature any anticipated announcements regarding significant new military acquisitions.
Instead, Mr. Hegseth drew attention to the recent delivery of three training aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, affirming that “The United States is dedicated to advancing this project and similar initiatives.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is shown on Sunday presenting Vietnam’s Defense Minister Phan Van Giang with a knife, belt, and leather box—items that U.S. soldiers took from a bunker near Da Nang during the 1968 war.
This visit occurred while Hanoi has been actively strengthening its defense relationships with Russia, purchasing aircraft and mobile air-defense systems, and also exploring military cooperation with diverse partners including Finland, Turkey, Israel, and North Korea.
Secretary Hegseth appeared to endorse this multifaceted approach. The official U.S. summary of his visit praised Vietnam’s swift military modernization and lauded its dedication to defending national sovereignty and ensuring regional security.
Washington is increasingly keen for more nations to participate in regional security, particularly concerning the South China Sea. Here, Beijing asserts claims over almost all islands and crucial commercial shipping lanes, claims rejected by countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, who uphold their own territorial rights.
At a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday, Mr. Hegseth unveiled a new task force alongside the Philippines. Its purpose is to enhance military cooperation and protect maritime routes from sudden disturbances arising from conflicts or struggles for dominance.
“We are committed to tirelessly working to restore deterrence in the South China Sea and strengthen our alliance,” he declared in an official statement.
Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, suggested that these regional security concerns, rather than the historical legacy of war, are the primary driver behind the burgeoning U.S.-Vietnam connection. The key question remains whether mutual security interests can transcend existing trade disagreements.
“The U.S. prioritizes stronger ties with Vietnam due to its strategic rivalry with China,” Mr. Vuving explained. “Vietnam, in turn, anticipates that a closer relationship with the U.S. will significantly aid its pursuit of security and economic prosperity.”
Zunaira Saieed also contributed to this report from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.