25 Years of Vietnam-US Relations: Historical Milestones

Many people had doubts when Vietnam and the US announced normalisation of their relations because of existing “war wounds”. However, the Vietnam-US relation has remarked countless memorable events over the last 25 years. These are honored as historical events.

  • US Ambassador hails Vietnam-US cooperation over 25 years of relations
  • Vietnam, US mark 25 years of diplomatic ties
July 11, 1995: US president Bill Clinton announced the normalization of relation with Vietnam.
July 11, 1995: US president Bill Clinton announced the normalization of relation with Vietnam. 
The following day, July 12, Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet announced the beginning of Vietnam – US relation.
The following day, July 12, Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet announced the beginning of Vietnam – US relation.
August 5, 1995: Secretary of State Warren Christopher inaugurates the US embassy in Hanoi as he pays the first official visit by a US secretary of state to Vietnam.

August 5, 1995: Secretary of State Warren Christopher inaugurates the US embassy in Hanoi as he pays the first official visit by a US secretary of state to Vietnam.

November 2000: President Bill Clinton visits Hanoi, remarked as the first official visit of a US president to Vietnam after the war. He also removes the Embargos upon Vietnam and normalizes the mutual relation. In the photo, the President was shaking hands with people from a balcony, right after his visit to Quoc Tu Giam Temple.
November 2000: President Bill Clinton visits Hanoi, remarked as the first official visit of a US president to Vietnam after the war. He also removes the Embargos upon Vietnam and normalizes the mutual relation. In the photo, the President was shaking hands with people from a balcony, right after his visit to Quoc Tu Giam Temple.
May 1997: The two countries exchange Ambassadors: Mr. Le Van Bang becomes Vietnamese Ambassador to the US; Mr. Douglas Peterson as US ambassador to Vietnam.

May 1997: The two countries exchange Ambassadors: Mr. Le Van Bang becomes Vietnamese Ambassador to the US; Mr. Douglas Peterson as US ambassador to Vietnam.

March 11, 1998: First time President Clinton announces a waiver that excludes Vietnam from the Jackson-Vanick amendment.

January 1999: Vietnam grants Most Favored Status to American companies working in Vietnam although the two countries dont have bilateral trade agreement yet.

June 19, 2000: The US pledges 1.7 million dollars in humanitarian aid to help Vietnam detect and destroy mines and unexploded ordnance.

July 13, 2000: The two sides sign a landmark trade agreement a quarter of a century after the end of the Vietnam War.

November 16 to 19, 2000: Official visit by US President Bill Clinton to Vietnam.

October 8, 2001: U.S Senate approved the Bilateral Trade Agreement between the U.S and Vietnam.

October 18, 2001: President Bush signed Resolution of ratification of BTA.

November 24, 2001: Vietnam's National Assembly approved BTA.

December 10, 2001: Bilateral Trade Agreement enters effect after exchange of ratification letters by Vietnam's Trade Minister Vu Khoan and U.S Trade Representative Zoelick at Blair House.

December 9, 2004: United Airlines launches the first direct service between US and VN.

June 2005: Prime Minister Pham Van Khai had a meeting with President George W.Bush in Washington D.C. This went down as the first official visit of a Vietnamese PM since the end of the war.
June 2005: Prime Minister Pham Van Khai had a meeting with President George W.Bush in Washington D.C. This went down as the first official visit of a Vietnamese PM since the end of the war.

May 31, 2006: Signing of bilateral agreement on Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization.

November 17 to 20, 2006: First visit to Vietnam by U.S. President George W. The President attends the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Hanoi and visit Ho Chi Minh City.

November 17 to 20, 2006: First visit to Vietnam by U.S. President George W. The President attends the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Hanoi and visit Ho Chi Minh City.

December 8, 2006: Approval by U.S. House of Representative of the Bill to extend the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Vietnam. Dec 9 2006, the Bill was passed in the US Senate.

June 18 to 23 2007: Historic Visit by President of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Triet to the US.

June 18 to 23 2007: Historic Visit by President of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Triet to the US.

June 23 to 26, 2008: Visit to the US by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

June 23 to 26, 2008: Visit to the US by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

July 24 to 26 2013: President Truong Tan Sang paid an Official Visit to the US, setting framework for Comprehensive Partnership.

October 2, 2014: The United States partially lifted embargo on the sale of lethal weapons to Vietnam.

July 6 to 10, 2015: General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid official visit to the United States, the two countries issued a Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-US relations.

July 6 to 10, 2015: General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid official visit to the United States, the two countries issued a Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-US relations.

August 31 to September 9, 2015: National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung paid official visit to the United States.

May 23, 2016: President Barack Obama announced that the United States completely lifted the ban on the sale of lethal weapons to Vietnam.

May 22 to 24, 2016: US President Barack Obama paid official visit to Vietnam.

May 22 to 24, 2016: US President Barack Obama paid official visit to Vietnam.

November 11 and 12, 2017: U.S. President Donald Trump paid a state visit to Vietnam and attended the 2017 APEC Summit in Da Nang.
November 11 and 12, 2017: U.S. President Donald Trump paid a state visit to Vietnam and attended the 2017 APEC Summit in Da Nang.
February 27, 2019: General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received and held talks with US President Donald Trump; and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with President Trump on the occasion of the second US-North Korea Summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

February 27, 2019: General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received and held talks with US President Donald Trump; and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with President Trump on the occasion of the second US-North Korea Summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

May 6, 2020: Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talked with US President Donald Trump to discuss bilateral cooperation and COVID-19 prevention cooperation.

Photo: VNA, Getty Images. 

By Duy Tien

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