Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien (R) shakes hands with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper at the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding on strengthening cooperation in war legacy remediation. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre
The signing ceremony, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, took place in Hanoi on Friday.
According to the defense ministry, the MoU is meant to implement the commitments made by the top leaders of both nations in the 2023 Joint Leaders’ Statement on elevating U.S.–Vietnam relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the 2024 Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation, and the 2011 MoU between Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense (now Department of War), which was updated in 2022.
The agreement outlines enhanced collaboration in five key areas: clearing unexploded ordnance; improving the quality of life for people with disabilities in areas heavily sprayed with Agent Orange, regardless of cause; continuing dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase in southern Dong Nai Province; maintaining support for the search, recovery, and identification of Vietnamese martyrs’ remains; and facilitating comprehensive cooperation in the search for U.S. service members missing in action (MIA) from the war in Vietnam.
It also establishes cooperation frameworks such as information and artifact sharing, experience exchange, training and scientific research support, and technology application.
Both sides agreed to hold joint meetings, workshops, and public communication activities, as well as to execute projects aligned with the MoU’s objectives.
Working groups will be established to coordinate the implementation and evaluation of the agreement.
The Vietnamese working group will be led by the head of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Steering Committee 701), while the U.S. side will be co-chaired by the U.S. Embassy’s Political Counselor, representing the Department of State, and the Senior Defense Official in Vietnam, representing the Department of War.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Chien underscored the importance of the signing, describing it as a concrete step toward realizing the shared vision of both countries’ leaders and a meaningful event marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam–U.S. diplomatic relations.
He noted that the two sides have worked closely together and achieved significant progress in recent years, including the completion of dioxin clean-up projects at Da Nang Airport in the eponymous city, the ongoing remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase, support programs for dioxin-affected areas, and the repatriation of remains of U.S. service members missing in action.
Chien stressed that the MoU demonstrates a strong and practical commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war — a particularly meaningful step as both nations celebrate three decades of diplomatic ties and ahead of the upcoming official visit to Vietnam by the U.S. Secretary of War from November 2 to 3.
Ambassador Knapper expressed his pleasure at reaffirming the United States’ strong commitment to working with Vietnam in war legacy remediation and at further strengthening the solid foundation of bilateral relations.
He said that 2025 marks a special milestone and gives both sides a chance to reflect on three decades of achievements and reinforce joint efforts to address war legacies and advance their partnership.
