(Hanoi, 3rd) US Secretary of Defense Hegseth visited Vietnam on Sunday, signaling Washington's hope to establish deeper military relations with Hanoi.
After arriving in Hanoi on Sunday (November 2), Hegseth met separately with General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party To Lam, President To Lam, and Defense Minister Phan Van Giang.
According to Vietnam News Agency, To Lam emphasized during the meeting that Vietnam has always regarded the United States as one of its important partners and is willing to continue deepening bilateral cooperation in all areas.
Hegseth responded that Vietnam plays an increasingly important role in the Indo-Pacific region, and the US values its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, hoping to strengthen strategic cooperation at both bilateral and regional levels, especially in areas such as combating transnational crime, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, military officer training, UN peacekeeping missions, and disaster response.
Both sides agreed that maintaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms, especially exchanges between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the US Department of War, is of great significance for consolidating mutual trust and deepening the comprehensive Vietnam-US strategic partnership. This can also contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Earlier that day, Hegseth held bilateral talks with Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang. Before the meeting, Hegseth stated that the US hopes to establish a deeper military relationship with Vietnam and revealed that the US has delivered three patrol boats and three T-6 trainer aircraft to the Vietnamese Coast Guard, with plans to deliver more. Vietnam has ordered a total of 12 T-6 trainer aircraft.
Phan Van Giang said during the talks that Hegseth's visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations, which is of great significance and will strongly promote the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership and deepen bilateral defense cooperation. The two sides also discussed cooperation on post-war legacy issues.
The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense added in a statement that Vietnam and the US agreed to continue advancing security cooperation, including in areas such as the defense industry.
Before the bilateral defense ministers' meeting that day, two Vietnamese sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that weapons supply would be a main topic of the talks.
They revealed that the discussions would focus on Vietnam's possible procurement of Lockheed Martin's C-130 'Hercules' military transport aircraft and S-92 helicopters from the US, as well as Boeing's Chinook helicopters.
An American official also confirmed that both sides would discuss the procurement of C-130 transport aircraft. However, all sources said it was unclear whether any agreements would be reached at Sunday's talks.
For many years, Russia has been Vietnam's main weapons supplier, accounting for more than 80% of Vietnam's arms imports. In recent years, Vietnam has actively sought to diversify its military equipment, reduce reliance on Russia, and spread procurement risks.
Reuters reported this July that Vietnam has agreed to purchase two US-made helicopters. This is a key transaction in the security field for both sides since the US lifted its arms embargo on Vietnam 10 years ago.
After arriving in Hanoi on Sunday (November 2), Hegseth met separately with General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party To Lam, President To Lam, and Defense Minister Phan Van Giang.
According to Vietnam News Agency, To Lam emphasized during the meeting that Vietnam has always regarded the United States as one of its important partners and is willing to continue deepening bilateral cooperation in all areas.
Hegseth responded that Vietnam plays an increasingly important role in the Indo-Pacific region, and the US values its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, hoping to strengthen strategic cooperation at both bilateral and regional levels, especially in areas such as combating transnational crime, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, military officer training, UN peacekeeping missions, and disaster response.
Both sides agreed that maintaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms, especially exchanges between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the US Department of War, is of great significance for consolidating mutual trust and deepening the comprehensive Vietnam-US strategic partnership. This can also contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Earlier that day, Hegseth held bilateral talks with Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang. Before the meeting, Hegseth stated that the US hopes to establish a deeper military relationship with Vietnam and revealed that the US has delivered three patrol boats and three T-6 trainer aircraft to the Vietnamese Coast Guard, with plans to deliver more. Vietnam has ordered a total of 12 T-6 trainer aircraft.
Phan Van Giang said during the talks that Hegseth's visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations, which is of great significance and will strongly promote the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership and deepen bilateral defense cooperation. The two sides also discussed cooperation on post-war legacy issues.
The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense added in a statement that Vietnam and the US agreed to continue advancing security cooperation, including in areas such as the defense industry.
Before the bilateral defense ministers' meeting that day, two Vietnamese sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that weapons supply would be a main topic of the talks.
They revealed that the discussions would focus on Vietnam's possible procurement of Lockheed Martin's C-130 'Hercules' military transport aircraft and S-92 helicopters from the US, as well as Boeing's Chinook helicopters.
An American official also confirmed that both sides would discuss the procurement of C-130 transport aircraft. However, all sources said it was unclear whether any agreements would be reached at Sunday's talks.
For many years, Russia has been Vietnam's main weapons supplier, accounting for more than 80% of Vietnam's arms imports. In recent years, Vietnam has actively sought to diversify its military equipment, reduce reliance on Russia, and spread procurement risks.
Reuters reported this July that Vietnam has agreed to purchase two US-made helicopters. This is a key transaction in the security field for both sides since the US lifted its arms embargo on Vietnam 10 years ago.