US Ambassador Marc Knapper at a press conference on September 13, 2023. Photo: Ngoc Van

During a press conference on September 13, US Ambassador Marc Knapper repeatedly used emotional words to talk about moments during US President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam.

The Ambassador said he was truly moved to see General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meet President Joe Biden again after eight years.

In 2015, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, while visiting the US, met with Mr. Joe Biden, then Vice President in the administration of President Barack Obama.

“When I saw the two leaders meet and thought back to the meeting in Washington, I really thought that the two of them had nurtured a strong friendship and affection and it was really meaningful to meet again,” Ambassador Knapper said.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong presided over the welcoming ceremony for US President Joe Biden. Photo: AFP

Ambassador Knapper was also particularly moved when National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with President Joe Biden - the first US president to visit the Vietnamese National Assembly. During the meeting, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President Joe Biden witnessed the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense presenting war relics to the US Department of Defense.

“I am personally really moved, because my father was an American veteran in Vietnam,” the Ambassador shared, saying that reconciliation is one of the important factors that laid the foundation for the normalization and development of relations between the two countries as they are today.

The United States is grateful for Vietnam’s coordinated efforts in the search for and repatriation of the remains of American soldiers missing in action during the war. In return, the United States has also supported Vietnam in identifying martyrs’ remains using DNA technology, clearing bombs and mines, cleaning up dioxin at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports, and supporting Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange.

The Ambassador also mentioned Mr. John Kerry, former US Secretary of State, currently the US President's Special Climate Envoy, Senator Patrick Leahy, and the late Senator John McCain - who contributed to the normalization of Vietnam - US relations.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President Joe Biden witnessed the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense presenting war relics to the US Department of Defense. Photo: Hai Nguyen

Responding to Lao Dong's question, Ambassador Marc Knapper said that Vietnam and the US upgrading from Comprehensive Partnership straight to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership sends a strong signal about the future of the two countries' ties.

Ambassador Marc Knapper said that the relationship between the two countries has become comprehensive and strategic in recent years. Therefore, this upgrade first of all reflects the reality of the relationship between the two countries, in terms of comprehensive, extensive and high-level cooperation in many different areas, from investment and business, health, energy, climate, security, people, culture, science, technology, etc.

“In addition, upgrading relations also sends a strong signal to the countries and peoples of both sides, as well as the world, about our common future. Our futures are linked together and hopefully that will allow us to further strengthen this relationship with an ever-increasing level of cooperation,” the Ambassador said, adding that Vietnam’s success is America’s success and America’s success is also Vietnam’s success.