Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense | https://media.defense.gov
On May 31, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a meeting with Vietnam's Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang. The discussions focused on the progress in the bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Vietnam, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The leaders explored opportunities to enhance defense cooperation, particularly in areas such as defense trade and information sharing. They also reaffirmed that addressing war legacy issues remains a top priority for the Trump Administration.
Secretary Hegseth emphasized that "the Trump Administration values Vietnam's leadership in maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia." He praised Vietnam's efforts in military modernization, noting it as evidence of "Vietnam's commitment to regional security and a free and open Indo-Pacific."
