By Cuong T. Nguyen
A historic visit this week indicates just how close the two former foes have become.
In 1975, the Vietnam War ended with the United States’ political defeat to the communists. Forty years later, if nothing changes, from 6-7 July the highest-ranking official of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) will visit Washington, D.C. for the first time. Though there have been disagreements about protocol procedures – General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has no direct counterpart from the United States – the trip is unquestionably historic one as it comes as both countries celebrate the 20th anniversary of their normalized relationship.
The trip will strengthen the two countries’ bilateral communication and political contacts at a critical time. Both are members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), an agreement which will hopefully be wrapped up before U.S. President Barack Obama leaves office. Maritime tensions stemming from China’s reclamation projects and militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea also continue to undermine regional peace and stability. But beyond these specific issues, the meeting itself will be symbolic of a transition to a new phase in U.S.-Vietnam relations.
In 1994, the United States finally lifted its trade embargo on Vietnam, marking a new era for U.S-Vietnam normalization. Beyond memories about the bloody Vietnam War, since then the U.S-Vietnam relations have been transforming from enmity to a “comprehensive partnership” through an array of cooperative efforts in the fields of security and trade. The early twenty first century has witnessed the rise of China both militarily and economically, which undeniably plays a catalytic role in this metamorphosis.
Read the full story at The Diplomat