President Luong Cuong meets with Vietnamese–American war veterans

Expressing his pleasure at attending the meeting at such a meaningful time, President Luong Cuong recalled that 30 years ago, Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet and U.S. President Bill Clinton simultaneously announced the normalization of bilateral relations. He noted that through the efforts of both sides, including high-level visits and phone calls, Vietnam–U.S. relations have progressively developed, and the two countries have become comprehensive strategic partners. He emphasized that today, everyone has reason to be proud of the significant achievements in bilateral relations and, above all, of the wise choices made in fostering the Vietnam–U.S. relationship.

Thirty years ago, Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet and U.S. President Bill Clinton simultaneously announced the normalization of bilateral relations.

Highlighting that the war had taken too much from both the Vietnamese and American peoples, leaving unfinished dreams and haunting memories, the President stated that the Vietnamese people, with compassion and tolerance, chose to set aside the painful past to look toward the future; they chose to forgive, but not forget; and trust that future generations of Vietnam and the United States will together build an era of peace, cooperation, development, and mutual respect.

The President noted that in the United States, veterans who emerged from the war chose conscience and extended their hands to Vietnam, laying the first bridges for the process of reconciliation between the two countries.

Over the past half-century, hundreds of search and excavation missions have been conducted, helping return thousands of artifacts and the remains of U.S. service members to their homeland. The goodwill and results of Vietnam’s 50-year cooperation on MIA cases have consistently been highly appreciated by the U.S. government, Congress, veteran organizations, and families of MIAs, considered a model for bilateral relations in particular and international relations in general.

The two sides have also strengthened cooperation in overcoming the consequences of the war, such as decontaminating dioxin/Agent Orange at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports, supporting people with disabilities affected by Agent Orange, clearing unexploded ordnance, and locating, exhuming, and identifying the remains of Vietnamese soldiers.

With the cooperation of the United States and international partners, many areas that were once “silent” due to bombs and toxic chemicals have now been revitalized.

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong welcomed and highly appreciated the administration of former President Donald Trump for supporting and continuing to implement war aftermath remediation projects in Vietnam.

Recalling the wish of the great President Ho Chi Minh in his 1946 letter to President Truman for a “full cooperative” relationship with the United States, the President noted that 30 years ago, even the most optimistic could not have imagined how Vietnam and the United States would overcome the pains of war to build and develop a strong and positive relationship as it stands today.

Pointing out that history cannot be rewritten, but through goodwill and effort, Vietnam and the United States have jointly built a bright future for both countries, the President emphasized that the story of reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States is a vivid proof of how powerful the strength of forgiveness can be and how it can break through limits.

Vietnam and the United States also recognize that no hatred is permanent and no wound is irreparable if we are willing to open our hearts and look toward the future.

The President expressed his gratitude to all veterans and American friends who have supported Vietnam over the decades. He also highlighted the tireless contributions and efforts of historical figures and leaders of both countries across different periods—the “icebreakers” in bilateral relations from both sides, such as the late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, the late Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach, the late Senator John McCain, Senator John Kerry, and many others; he paid tribute to the American citizens who once marched in cities to protest the war, as well as to veterans who have consistently worked to heal the war-inflicted wounds deeply etched in both nations and among countless individuals.

The President wished the Vietnamese and American veterans good health and happiness, with open hearts and friendship, and hoped they would continue to support the stable, increasingly positive, and prosperous development of the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

At the meeting, Vietnamese and U.S. veterans also shared stories from the past on both sides, recounting the journey of healing war wounds and expressing the desire to set aside, honor the past, and look toward a better future.

Lieutenant General Phung Khac Dang, former Deputy Chief of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army; Lieutenant General, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces Nguyen Van Phiet, former Deputy Commander for Politics of the Air Defense-Air Force; Colonel, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces Tu De, pilot of the Quyết Thắng Squadron, 923rd Regiment, 371st Division… shared their experiences during the war years—personal stories that, above all, reflected forgiveness. Through these experiences, they gained an accurate understanding of the severity and immense losses caused by the U.S.-led war in Vietnam, while recognizing the nature of the conflict and hoping such a war never occurs again; they also emphasized the necessity of justice and morality to prevent unfortunate misunderstandings for future generations.

The veterans also expressed the hope that reconciliation and forgiveness would spread strongly among the governments and peoples of both countries, based on respect and equality, understanding, and reconciliation, in order to set aside the past and look to the future.

John Terzano, one of the U.S. veterans, shared his journey returning to Vietnam after the war and his role in co-founding the “U.S. Veterans Who Served in Vietnam” organization and the “U.S. Veterans Fund in Vietnam,” as part of efforts toward reconciliation, lifting sanctions, and normalizing Vietnam–U.S. relations.

During the meeting, delegates, veterans, and relatives of veterans shared their journeys of searching and connecting to heal the past, while enjoying reflective songs conveying messages of hope and peace, looking toward a better future.

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong and the delegates witnessed veterans from both countries returning memorabilia to the families of Vietnamese and U.S. service members.