Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang meets with Congressman Michael Baumgartner and the U.S. Congressional Delegation in Hanoi on May 26, 2026. (Source: VGP)

On May 26, at the Government Office, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, General Phan Van Giang received the U.S. congressional delegation led by Congressman Michael Baumgartner, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The delegation also included Congressman Gregory Meeks, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Congressional aides and staff from the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang expressed his hope for U.S. congressmen to continue acting as a bridge to promote Vietnam-U.S. cooperation in various fields. (Photo: Government Electronic Newspaper)

Welcoming the delegation to Vietnam for a visit and working session, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang appreciated the significance of the first visit by a U.S. congressional delegation to Vietnam in 2026, especially in the context of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. continuing to develop positively and substantively in various fields.

Emphasizing that Vietnam always values its relationship with the U.S., the Deputy Prime Minister recalled his visits to the U.S. and numerous meetings and exchanges with U.S. congressmen, through which he clearly felt the U.S. Congress's support for promoting bilateral relations.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense also acknowledged and highly appreciated the important contributions of many generations of U.S. congressmen, including Senators John McCain, John Kerry, and Patrick Leahy, to the normalization and development of Vietnam-U.S. relations as well as cooperation in addressing war legacies.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang welcomes the U.S. Congressional Delegation to visit and work in Vietnam. (Source: VGP)

Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam is steadfast in pursuing an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy; a "four no's" defense policy; and a policy of resolving disagreements and disputes through peaceful means based on international law.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam values its relationship with the U.S. and wishes for both sides to continue effectively implementing the agreements reached, enhancing understanding, building trust, and promoting substantive cooperation in line with each side's needs, capabilities, and interests.

Discussing bilateral defense cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Phan Van Giang proposed that both sides continue to promote defense dialogue and consultation mechanisms; enhance cooperation in training, defense trade, and areas of mutual interest.

The Deputy Prime Minister particularly emphasized that cooperation in addressing war legacies is a highlight with profound humanitarian significance in the relationship between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang suggested that the U.S. continue to allocate resources and closely coordinate with Vietnam in handling Agent Orange/dioxin, demining, supporting people with disabilities, and searching for missing soldiers.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, the Deputy Prime Minister proposed that both sides promote economic, trade, and investment cooperation in a spirit of harmonized interests, mutual benefits, and in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership framework between the two countries.

U.S. Congressmen affirmed they will continue to promote the Vietnam-U.S. bilateral cooperation relationship to develop more substantively and effectively in the future. (Photo: Government Electronic Newspaper)

U.S. congressmen thanked Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Phan Van Giang for taking the time to meet with the delegation; expressed their impression of Vietnam's development achievements and highly appreciated Vietnam's increasingly active role in the region.

The congressmen affirmed that Vietnam and the Vietnam-U.S. relationship receive attention and importance from both parties in the U.S. Congress, and expressed support for continuing to strengthen bilateral relations in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership framework.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, energy security issues, and the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation, ensuring the security, safety, and smooth operation of international maritime routes.