The top leader of Vietnam met Hung Cao. He expressed pleasure at seeing him again and congratulated him on being nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of the Navy.
Diplomatic Significance
The official praised Hung Cao’s role in strengthening ties between the two nations and noted his personal connection to the Vietnamese homeland, emphasizing the symbolic importance of that bond.
The leader outlined the country’s development priorities, naming science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as central drivers of future growth.
He indicated that the nation will mobilize both domestic and international resources, tapping expertise and high-quality human capital to support that growth agenda.
The leader described the United States as one of the most strategically important partners and said the two sides aim to keep the Full Strategic Partnership stable, substantive and sustainable.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Party General Secretary and President To Lam called economic and trade ties a pillar of bilateral relations and urged balanced, stable trade that benefits both economies.
To Lam said both sides should resolve outstanding negotiation issues quickly and move toward a reciprocal trade agreement that benefits businesses on each side.
The leader also asked the United States to deepen cooperation in high-technology fields such as semiconductors, energy and supply-chain resilience, highlighting the mutual advantages of shared research.
Ongoing defense and security agreements remain in force, with war-legacy remediation listed as a priority for continued collaboration.
Cultural and Community Engagement
The handover of artifacts from the former US Marine Corps Camp Reasoner in Da Nang was described as a goodwill gesture that supports peace and reconciliation between the peoples.
During his trip the leader met nearly 2,000 Vietnamese expatriates and other international friends, noting their growing success and contributions abroad.
He noted that overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the nation, a valuable resource and a bridge of friendship that enriches both societies.
Defense and Security Outlook
Hung Cao said he was honored by the trust placed in him and pledged to promote Vietnam-US defense relations that match both sides’ interests.
He affirmed that the United States values its relationship with the country and supports a strong, independent and prosperous nation playing a larger regional role.
He highlighted substantial potential for cooperation in economy, trade, science, technology and security, and pledged to back more effective bilateral and multilateral engagement.