Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Barack Obama attended a press conference following their talks at the Oval Office

The public has closely followed Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s US visit, the first ever visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the US coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the normalization of relations between the United States and Vietnam.

International media have posted photos of Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and President Barack Obama shaking hands at the Oval Office in the White House.

A dialogue for the future

The talks between Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and President Barack Obama was scheduled for 45 to 60 minutes, but it actually lasted 95 minutes. Both leaders had cordial, open, and constructive discussion on bilateral ties, including issues of different views. President Obama told reporters following the discussion that “This was an excellent opportunity for us to deepen our discussions around our vision for a comprehensive partnership.” Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said: “The past cannot be changed, but the future depends on our action. By reviewing the growth of our relations over the past 20 years, the President and I discussed and agreed on the major directions for moving our relationship forward to make it more substantive and positive.  We agreed to continue to promote the comprehensive relationship between the two countries in all areas.”

The Vietnam-US joint statement illustrates the two leaders’ determination and orientation for bilateral relations in the next 20 years. 15 documents were signed during Mr. Trong’s visit including an agreement on double taxation avoidance and boosting negotiation for the finalization and signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said: “In the Vietnam-US joint statement, both sides committed to closely work to soon finalize the TPP and implement reforms to meet the TPP requirements. After his historic visit, bilateral trade and investment relations will flourish.”

Enhancing political trust, overcoming differences

20 years are not a long period in the history relationship among nations. Vietnam and the US have risen above the past to overcome differences to build political trust and enhance relations in all sectors including national defense and security. Deputy Defense Minister General Nguyen Chi Vinh said: “In the joint statement and during talks, both leaders mentioned national defense ties, underlining the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on national defense ties in 2011 and the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations signed this June. Military relations have practically contributed to bilateral relations and building trust.”

Party leader Trong had a frank and open discussion with researchers from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and US religious leaders on democracy, human rights, and religions in Vietnam. Venerable Thich Chi Thien, a religious representative in Party leader Trong’s entourage, said: “The Party leader had cordial answers on the religious life and freedom in Vietnam. There are no religious differences and disputes between Buddhism and Protestant. American pastors are satisfied with specific information. On sideline talks, we told them about our freedom and no restriction to practice religion, develop our religious organization, and carry on missionary work.”

Bright prospect of friendly and sustainable relationship

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong met with the Vietnamese community in the US. He sang with them the song “Noi vong tay lon”, translated as “Holding hands to make a big circle”, showing national unity and consensus.

He met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York. Mr. Ban repeated the UN’s view over the East Sea issue is to peaceful resolving disputes in line with the UN Charter and international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

70 years ago, in a letter to President Truman on February 16, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh said Vietnam’s goals were complete independence and comprehensive relations with the US. Now both countries have reached the goals. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit laid a firm foundation for the Vietnam-US relations to make significant strides in the future.