President Joe Biden hails Viet Nam – U.S. relations at UNGA 78

Opening his remarks, Biden recalled his recent State visit to Viet Nam, witnessing an exchange of war memorabilia between American and Vietnamese veterans, and affirmed that the two countries have worked hard to address the painful legacies of war and choose to work together toward peace and a better future.

Biden said: "A culmination of 50 years of hard work on both sides to address the painful legacies of war and to choose — to choose to work together toward peace and a better future.

Nothing about that journey was inevitable.  For decades, it would have been unthinkable for an American president to stand in Hanoi alongside a Vietnamese leader and announce a mutual commitment to the highest level of countries partnership.  But it’s a powerful reminder that our history need not dictate our future.

With a concerted leadership and careful effort, adversaries can become partners, overwhelming challenges can be resolved, and deep wounds can heal."

Biden affirmed that the U.S. stands ready to cooperate with countries to resolve disputes and it is committed to promoting multilateralism to solve global challenges.

President Joe Biden paid a State visit to Viet Nam on September 10-11 at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Patty of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong.

During their talks in Ha Noi on September 10, Nguyen and Biden discussed measures to spur cooperation between the two countries. 

They then issued a Joint Leaders’ Statement, agreeing to elevate the Viet Nam – U.S. relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

 Viet Nam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in 1995 and lifted their ties to a comprehensive partnership in 2013./.