On his way home from the G20 summit of world leaders in India, President Joe Biden will make a historic stop in Vietnam, 50 years after the last US troops left the country. Fifty years after that war, which cost the lives of more than 58,000 Americans and perhaps as many as a million Vietnamese, relations between the two countries look very different.
Ted Osius, President and CEO US-ASEAN Business Council, Served as Ambassador to Vietnam under President Obama.
“This is the story of the last 30 years of Vietnam and the United States,” Osius said. “We built trust and we built a partnership between the two countries.”
During President Biden’s visit, the US and Vietnam are expected to announce a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to expand trade on everything from semiconductors to airplanes and open the door to greater military cooperation and US arms sales to Vietnam. hopefully.
“I think for Vietnam, strengthening relations with Washington, both in terms of engagement and security issues as well as economic cooperation, is a high priority for Hanoi,” said Yun Sun, director of the China program. Said. Stimson Center.
With their diplomatic ties improving, both former enemies are taking a stronger stance against China.
“There are a lot of grievances against China, especially from Vietnam,” Sun said.
Osius said, “The Chinese have the ability to really hurt any of their neighbors. The Vietnamese make every effort to make sure that relations with China are solid. They want strong relations with us as well.”
Biden’s visit comes as Vietnam is being criticized for its deteriorating record on human rights, and just days after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized the communist government for violating freedoms, which it says “Add a clear reversal to that once positive trajectory.” ,
“Vietnam is not living up to its aspirations when it comes to human rights. So I think it is certain that the President will emphasize religious freedom, freedom of expression and respect for human rights in every conversation he has with Vietnam’s leaders ” ,” Osius said.
Biden, who is making his first visit to Vietnam, will also visit the memorial of his late friend Senator John McCain, who was shot in Hanoi in 1967 and spent more than five years as a prisoner of war.
“A lot of people, both Vietnamese and Americans, took a risk, especially at the beginning of a relationship – to go from being enemies to being friends – in a historically very short period of time,” Osius said.