Vietnam and the United States are accelerating and expanding their defense cooperation, cementing the security ties established under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The foundation of this collaboration remains the humanitarian effort to address the legacies of war, such as dioxin remediation and MIA accounting. Moving forward, the partnership is strategically deepening in areas of maritime security, defense industry modernization, high-quality training, and cybersecurity, reflecting a shared commitment to regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Healing the Scars of War
Cooperation in resolving war legacies remains the core highlight and top priority of the bilateral defense relationship, serving as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and trust-building.
The US has strongly reaffirmed its commitment to major cleanup projects, including the ongoing remediation at Biên Hòa and the completed work at Đà Nẵng airport, with the US announcing an additional $130 million for the Biên Hòa project.
Both sides continue reciprocal efforts: the US assists Vietnam in the search for Vietnamese fallen soldiers, while Vietnam provides maximum support for the US mission to recover and repatriate the remains of missing US service members (over 990 cases repatriated and 740 identified as of recent reports).
Collaboration in bomb and mine clearance and humanitarian support for war-affected communities is set to intensify following a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in late October 2025.
Key Pillars for Future Strategic Cooperation
Building on this foundation, defense ties are expanding into areas that enhance Vietnam's defense capacity and support shared regional security objectives, particularly in the ASEAN framework.
- Maritime Security and Domain Awareness: The US continues to prioritize assisting Vietnam in enhancing its maritime law enforcement and domain awareness capabilities. This includes providing assets like Coast Guard cutters and patrol boats, which support Vietnam's ability to defend its sovereignty and contribute to freedom of navigation in the East Sea (South China Sea).
- Defense Industry and Capacity Building: The US has pledged continued support for Vietnam in modernizing its defense industry and improving overall defense capacity. Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential supply of specialized military assets, such as C-130 transport planes and various helicopters, signaling new commercial opportunities for US firms.
- Training and Human Resources: Cooperation in training high-quality human resources is expanding. The US supports English language, professional, and peacekeeping training for Vietnamese personnel, while Vietnam has welcomed US officers to study the Vietnamese language and attend international defense courses in the country.
- Cybersecurity: Both countries have agreed to step up cooperation in the critical field of cybersecurity, with Vietnam requesting US expertise and experience sharing.
Dialogue and Regional Stability
- High-Level Exchanges: The two sides maintain regular dialogue and consultation mechanisms and frequent high-level delegation exchanges, which are essential for building strategic trust.
- Multilateral Coordination: Vietnam and the US coordinate closely in multilateral forums, particularly the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+), supporting ASEAN's central role in regional security architecture.
- Shared Principles: Both nations reaffirmed support for peacefully resolving disputes in the East Sea based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a principle essential for maintaining regional peace and stability.