- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang met with Acting US Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao in Hanoi on June 22
- Both sides have reaffirmed commitment to deepening defense cooperation across maritime security, training and defense industry collaboration
- The meeting has also addressed war legacy issues, including a $130 million dioxin remediation project and the search for MIA personnel
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang has received Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao in Hanoi, in a meeting to strengthen the defense ties between the two countries.
What Was the Purpose of the US-Vietnam Meeting?
The reception, hosted by General Giang, provided both sides an opportunity to review the progress of Vietnam-U.S. defense cooperation and chart a course for its continued expansion, Vietnam Plus reported Monday. Giang congratulated Cao on his appointment and expressed confidence that he would serve as a key bridge in advancing the relationship between the two defense ministries.
How Has Vietnam-US Defense Cooperation Developed?
Giang noted that bilateral defense cooperation has been carried out effectively and practically in recent years, keeping pace with the broader trajectory of Vietnam-US relations. Areas of active cooperation include high-level delegation exchanges, military training, United Nations peacekeeping operations, cybersecurity, maritime security, military medicine and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Looking ahead, Giang called on both sides to build on existing frameworks, with priority placed on delegation exchanges, training, maritime security, defense industry cooperation and collaboration among military branches and services.
What Did Both Officials Say About the Partnership?
Giang invoked the spirit of “putting aside the past and looking towards the future” as the foundation for continued engagement, while emphasizing the practical work still to be done on war legacy issues.
Meanwhile, Cao expressed strong appreciation for the progress
achieved in bilateral defense cooperation, particularly in maritime affairs. “Both sides would continue strengthening cooperation in this field, contributing to deeper defense ties and broader relations between the two countries,” he said.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao’s engagement with Vietnamese defense leaders underscores the growing importance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. Hear directly from Cao at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27 to learn about the strategic priorities shaping naval operations and global security. Register here.
What War Legacy Commitments Were Raised?
Drawing on the memorandum of understanding on advancing collaboration in war aftermath settlement signed in October 2025, Giang urged the U.S. side to fulfill its commitments on outstanding wartime issues. These include delivering an additional $130 million for the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airport, which Giang expressed hope would be completed before 2030 to improve living conditions for residents in the area.
Giang also reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to facilitating searches for U.S. personnel missing in action during the war and called on the U.S. to share additional information, documents and belongings related to Vietnamese soldiers, as well as to support Vietnam in strengthening its DNA analysis capabilities for identifying the remains of war martyrs.
The Vietnamese official welcomed participation from U.S. officials and defense companies at the third Vietnam International Defence Expo, scheduled for Hanoi in December 2026, signaling an openness to deeper engagement at the industry level as the two nations look to broaden the scope of their defense partnership.
How Is Vietnam Also Strengthening Ties With the Philippines?
Vietnam’s outward engagement extends beyond Washington. Earlier this month, Vietnamese President To Lam visited Manila and signed four cooperation agreements with the Philippines covering defense, digital transformation, tourism and education, as both countries elevated their relationship to an enhanced strategic partnership.
The defense and digital MOUs were among the most substantive outcomes. The digital agreement, the first between the two countries’ technology ministries, covers AI, cybersecurity and e-government cooperation. The deals reflect Vietnam’s broader push to deepen multilateral ties across the Indo-Pacific alongside its strengthened engagement with the United States.
