15th Anniversary

Ambassador Michalak and Vice Minister Le Dinh Tien toast to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for nuclear energy cooperation. One of the multitude of ways that the U.S. and Vietnam cooperate on important issues. (State)

On July 11, 1995, President Bill Clinton announced the formal normalization of diplomatic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In August of that year both nations upgraded their “Liaison Offices” to Embassy status.

Fifteen years later, bilateral relations are arguably at their highest point since relations were reestablished. The fundamentals are in place to build an even more enduring, comprehensive partnership in support of the long-term goals of both countries. 

The United States remains Vietnam's largest export market and third-largest overall trading partner; in 2009 it jumped to first position among foreign investors. That same year, two-way trade reached $15.4 billion.  When bilateral relations normalized, there were fewer than 800 Vietnamese studying in the United States; today there are more than 13,000. Since 2004, the United States has provided Vietnam $420 million in total HIV assistance through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and is the largest donor in the fight against pandemic and avian influenza. The U.S. has also provided more than $46 million in aid for Vietnamese with disabilities. 

In addition, the U.S. and Vietnam have boosted cooperation in countless other areas including peacekeeping operations and training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, counterterrorism and counternarcotics cooperation, border security, and nonproliferation. 

Our two nations have accomplished an enormous amount in fifteen short years but there is much more we have yet to do. The United States is proud of the achievements that our mutual friendship, cooperation and respect have afforded both countries. 

On the occasion of this important milestone, the U.S. Embassy Hanoi has planned many events to celebrate and honor the strong ties and promising future shared by our two countries.

15th Anniversary Speeches

 • A Review of 15 Years of U.S.-Vietnam Relations and a Look to the Coming Years (May 26, 2010)

• Ambassador Michalak's Remarks at the 15th Anniversary Press Conference (June 29, 2010)

• Normalization at Fifteen: Progress and Promise - by Senator John Kerry (July 2010)

• Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell speaks at celebration honoring U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations (July 14, 2010)

• Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: Celebration of the 15th Anniversary of United States-Vietnam Relations (July 22, 2010)

15th Anniversary Events and Activities:

EVENTS:

• March: Southwest Chamber Music Exchange

• May: U.S. Cultural Envoy Hip-Hop Program

• June 1-7: Gershwin Cultural Exchange with Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra

• June 5-6: Gershwin Concerts at Hanoi Opera House

• 15th Anniversary Logo Contest

• 15th Anniversary English Writing Contest

• July 5-9: Professor Tuong Vu, University of Oregon lectures on U.S. – Vietnam Relations

• July 8-9: U.S. – Vietnam Bilateral Symposium at Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

15th Anniversary Resources:

• July: U.S. Embassy 15th Anniversary Fact Sheets

15th Anniversary Press:

• Dan Tri News (May 24) - U.S. Ambassador: Vietnam-U.S. Relationship Is the Best It Has Ever Been

• Vietnam News Agency (June 29) - Vietnam-US ties boosted by trust building efforts

• Vietnam News (July 3) - Trust building exercise with U.S. a success

• VietnamNet (July 11) - Vietnam’s relations with America are in fact a strategic connection (originally published in Vietnamese in VietNamNet’s Tuan Viet Nam on July 6, 2010)

• VietnamNet (July 15) - Hillary Clinton visit highlights expanding US-Vietnam cooperation