The General Secretary and President received the Defense Ministers of the US, Australia and Japan

Meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on May 29, the General Secretary and President affirmed that Vietnam’s early participation in the Peace Council on the Gaza Strip demonstrates Vietnam’s goodwill and responsibility in promoting dialogue, cooperation and reconciliation, and shows that Vietnam is willing to contribute more actively to common efforts for peace, stability and development, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Pete Hegseth highly appreciated Vietnam’s consistent approach, goodwill and responsibility, saying that Vietnam is increasingly recognized as a reliable partner, capable of making substantive contributions to international initiatives for peace and stability.

The General Secretary and President highly appreciated the US commitment to support a “strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous” Vietnam, saying that this is an important basis for the two countries to continue expanding cooperation in the spirit of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, political institutions and legitimate interests.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that Vietnam considers the US to be a partner of top strategic importance, and wishes to work with the US to effectively implement the major directions of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, bringing the two countries’ relations to more stable, substantive and effective development.

Minister Hegseth affirmed that the US attaches great importance to maintaining the positive development momentum of the Vietnam – US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, appreciating Vietnam’s goodwill, responsibility and constructive approach in promoting bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed that economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to be an important driving force of the two countries’ relationship, while continuing to strengthen exchange, coordination and expand cooperation in fields of mutual interest, especially economics, trade, investment, science – technology, innovation, defense and security.

The General Secretary and President asked the US to pay attention to Vietnam’s legitimate development needs, creating conditions for Vietnam to have more access to advanced technology and high-tech products from the US.

The two sides agreed to continue maintaining ongoing cooperation programs to overcome the consequences of war, considering this as one of the important factors contributing to strengthening trust, healing the past and creating a foundation for Vietnam-US relations to develop stably and long-term.

At the meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, General Secretary and President highly appreciated Australia’s effective support for Vietnam in the field of defense, especially English training for officers, military medical training, support for United Nations peacekeeping forces and transporting Vietnam’s field hospitals to South Sudan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Richard Marles welcomed Vietnam’s sending ships to participate in the recent Kakadu Multilateral Naval Exercise in Australia as well as the effective implementation of the Peacekeeping Partnership Agreement and defense training activities, sharing Australia’s newly announced 2026 National Defense Strategy, especially the content of promoting defense cooperation with regional countries, including Vietnam.

Mr. Marles affirmed that Australia considers Vietnam one of the most reliable partners in the region, appreciates Vietnam’s proactive, balanced and responsible approach to regional issues, and expressed his desire to continue deepening relations with Vietnam in the spirit of trust, substance and mutual benefit.

The two sides agreed to promote breakthrough measures to realize the goal of bringing bilateral trade turnover to 20 billion USD and doubling two-way investment in the coming time, continuing to promote the pillars of cooperation in development, education – training, science – technology, innovation and digital transformation, and soon deploy new cooperation mechanisms in the fields of energy and minerals.

The General Secretary and President proposed that Australia continue to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens, especially students, as well as support the Vietnamese community in Australia to develop stably, contributing positively to the country and relations between the two countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Richard Marles highly appreciated the role of the Vietnamese community in Australia, considering it an important bridge contributing to strengthening understanding, cohesion and friendship between the people of the two countries.

Receiving Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, General Secretary and President To Lam highly appreciated the significance of Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s official visit to Vietnam in early May, considering it an important milestone that created more motivation and opened up many new cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

Minister Koizumi Shinjiro affirmed that Japan values ​​its relationship with Vietnam, appreciates Vietnam’s increasing role and position in the region, and wishes to continue to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in all fields, including defense and security cooperation.

Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, the General Secretary and President proposed that the two sides continue to maintain regular contact and exchange between senior leaders, promote the effectiveness of existing dialogue and consultation mechanisms, strengthen defense and security cooperation, improve law enforcement capacity, UN peacekeeping, military medicine, search and rescue, cyber security and human resource training.

The General Secretary and President also proposed that the two sides continue to coordinate closely and share stances on regional and international issues of mutual concern, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

Minister Koizumi Shinjiro affirmed that Japan will continue to coordinate closely with Vietnam to effectively implement the agreements and common understandings reached between the two countries’ senior leaders, supporting the strengthening of practical cooperation, meeting the interests and concerns of each country.

At this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, General Secretary and President To Lam was invited to give an introductory speech. All countries shared this, affirming the international community’s respect for Vietnam’s role, voice and contributions in strategic issues of the region, while also showing interest in Vietnam’s perspectives and approaches in promoting dialogue, building trust, strengthening cooperation and handling common challenges.