2025 marked a remarkable year in Vietnam-US relations, as the two countries celebrated 30 years of diplomatic ties, 10 years of the Comprehensive Partnership, and the second year of upgrading ties to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency in the run-up to the 2026 New Year, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper reflected on key achievements and future directions of bilateral relations.
2025 was an incredibly significant year for Vietnam-US relations, marked by a series of major anniversaries and substantive advances across multiple areas of cooperation, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper said in a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency.
De Lasala said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s official visit to Vietnam in April 2025 - the first by a Spanish prime minister since diplomatic ties were established in 1977 - marked a historic milestone, as leaders of the two countries agreed to work towards upgrading the bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a goal reinforced by the inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee for Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation held in Madrid two months ago.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries is gaining momentum, anchored in mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.
The two PMs agreed to soon formally adopt the 2026–2030 action plan for implementing the partnership to set specific directions for each pillar and raise bilateral trade to 20 billion USD in a more balanced manner.
By the end of June this year, Japan had received about 200,000 Vietnamese technical interns and 150,000 specified skilled workers, making Vietnam the largest sending country. Many workers returning from Japan have effectively applied the knowledge and skills they acquired there.
State President Luong Cuong hosted an official welcome ceremony in Hanoi on December 1 morning for Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who is on a three-day state visit to Vietnam.
Two-way trade reached 42.5 billion USD in the first ten months of 2025, up 11% year on year, and is on track to surpass 50 billion USD for the first time. Investment from Japan rose 18% in the same period.
PM Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam always offers all possible support for Russian energy companies, including Zarubezhneft, to operate in the country.
Vietnam is willing to maintain dialogue on tariff issues with the US with a view to creating a more favourable and mutually beneficial trading environment.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on Japanese prefectures and enterprises to continue trusting and supporting Vietnam on its development journey, contributing to the prosperity of both nations and their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The PM said he believes that the forum will serve as an opportunity to strengthen practical cooperation between businesses and localities of both countries, creating momentum for the Vietnam–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang met with Ozeki Kenji, Director of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, to discuss cooperation in training high-quality human resources.
Vietnam prioritises enhancing economic resilience and establishing a new growth model based on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.
More than a year after upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024, Vietnam and Australia have seen robust, wide-ranging progress across economic, trade, education, defence, security, digital transformation and sustainable development cooperation.
Vietnam supports CPTPP upgrade negotiations based on the principle of balance, considering the viewpoints and interests of all members, and will regularly consult Japan throughout the discussion process.
The RoK is also Vietnam’s largest foreign investor. As of the end of September, Korean investors operated 10,301 valid projects with combined registered capital of 94.2 billion USD, topping both capital value and number of projects among 154 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Korean enterprises contribute roughly 30% of Vietnam’s total export value.
Party General Secretary To Lam received US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Hanoi on November 2. The Party chief welcomed Hegseth's official visit to Vietnam, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 50th anniversary of the war’s end in Vietnam.
Over more than five decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973 and 15 years since the adoption of the Strategic Partnership framework in 2010, Vietnam and the UK have built a strong and enduring partnership, underpinned by mutual respect and a shared vision of a safe, prosperous and sustainable future.
Vietjet Air and Airbus officially have signed a contract for the purchase of 100 A321neo aircraft, together with 50 additional purchase options.