NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (C) hosts the US Congress delegation in Hanoi, April 8, 2023.

Mr. Hue said that Vietnam is building legal frameworks and needs US support in resources, finance, and experience to implement its commitments in climate change response.  

Chairman Hue asked the US Congress to prioritize cooperation with Vietnam in addressing the legacy of war including dioxin remediation, demining, assistance for people with disabilities, and search and identification of the remains of Vietnamese fallen soldiers.

He called on US lawmakers to support stable and long-term trade between the two countries and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese farm produce to penetrate the US market, recognize Vietnam’s market economy status, and prioritize Mekong subregion cooperation.

Vietnam hopes that the US will continue to support Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue including ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight and peacefully settling disputes on the basis of international law (UNCLOS 1982) and help Vietnam and other regional countries improve their maritime capacity, said Chairman Hue.

Senator Jeff Merkley said the US supports Vietnam’s efforts to protect its sovereignty and national rights and will help Vietnam implement international law.

Expressing concerns over the US’s decision to put Vietnam in the special watch list on religious freedom Chairman Hue asked the US Congress to discuss with relevant US agencies so that they will have accurate and impartial information about the situation in Vietnam.

Vietnam is ready to discuss pending differences between the two countries, Mr. Hue said.