Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Doan Anh receives the U.S. Congressional delegation. (Source: VNA)

On May 26, at the National Assembly House, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Doan Anh, received a U.S. Congressional delegation led by Congressman Michael Baumgartner, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The delegation also included Congressman Gregory Meeks, Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Congressional aides and officials from the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam.

The meeting was an opportunity for both sides to discuss measures to promote Vietnam-U.S. relations, including cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Doan Anh affirms that Vietnam always considers the United States a top strategic partner and proposes that the two countries continue to promote substantive cooperation in depth. (Source: VNA)

Welcoming the U.S. Congress members from the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees visiting Vietnam, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Doan Anh emphasized that this is the first U.S. Congressional delegation to visit Vietnam in 2026, with participation from members of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

According to the Vice Chairman, this demonstrates the U.S. Congress's regard for Vietnam and the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh highly appreciated the effective maintenance of delegation exchanges and interactions between the two countries' National Assemblies, specialized committees, and supporting agencies.

Additionally, the Vice Chairman expressed appreciation for the cooperation programs that the U.S. Congress has provided to the Vietnamese National Assembly, including the cooperation exchange program organized by the U.S. Office of International Leadership since 2022.

Informing the delegation about Vietnam's situation, Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh emphasised that 2026 holds special significance as the 14th National Party Congress has outlined strategic directions and long-term development goals for the new phase, while continuing to affirm foreign affairs, defense, and security as key and regular tasks.

The Vice Chairman emphasized that Vietnam consistently pursues an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy; being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh also added that Vietnam successfully organized the election of the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term. The Vietnamese National Assembly is currently establishing Friendship Parliamentary Groups with various countries, including the United States.

Affirming the United States as a top strategic partner, the Vice Chairman proposed that both sides continue to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive and in-depth manner; promote high-level delegation exchanges and between National Assembly agencies; enhance stable, balanced, fair, and sustainable economic-trade cooperation; and soon recognize Vietnam's market economy status.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh also suggested expanding cooperation in fields such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, energy, and strategic minerals; and continuing to coordinate in addressing war legacies and searching for missing military personnel.

The Vice Chairman expressed hope that the United States will continue to play an active and responsible role in peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Asia-Pacific region, including maintaining peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea based on international law and the United Nations Charter.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Doan Anh takes a photo with U.S. Congressman Michael Baumgartner. (Source: VNA)

During the meeting, U.S. Congress members thanked Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh for taking the time to receive the delegation and expressed their pleasure to revisit Vietnam as the two countries' relations continue to develop positively after being upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The U.S. Congress members emphasized the importance of maintaining and enhancing delegation exchanges, especially between the two countries' National Assemblies, specialized committees, Friendship Parliamentary Groups, young parliamentarians, and advisory and support agencies of the National Assembly.

According to the U.S. Congress members, regular, frank, and constructive dialogue between the two legislative bodies is crucial in enhancing understanding, building trust, and appropriately addressing differing issues, thereby making a practical contribution to the stable and long-term development of Vietnam-U.S. relations.

The U.S. Congress members also affirmed their readiness to continue coordinating, promoting, and welcoming Vietnamese National Assembly delegations to visit the United States in the near future.

Discussing specific areas of cooperation, the U.S. Congress members noted that economic-trade remains a key driver of bilateral relations; acknowledged the efforts of both sides in promoting exchanges and negotiations to address trade issues, including tariffs, in a balanced and harmonious manner, consistent with the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The U.S. Congress members also shared views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern, including maritime and aviation security and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea; affirming support for resolving disputes by peaceful means based on international law, while continuing to enhance coordination with Vietnam at regional and international forums.