United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Photo: Le Minh Son/VNA

“I have long been looking forward to returning to Vietnam and making my first visit here as Secretary of State.  I was here as deputy secretary in 2015 and 2016, but I am so pleased to be back today,” Blinken said.

The US Secretary of State reiterated that at the time of his first visit to Vietnam in 2015, bilateral trade reached about 45 billion USD and the two countries are now approaching the milestone of 140 billion USD in trade.

“But much more broadly than that, we’re seeing the United States and Vietnam working closely together in virtually every area that matters to people in both of our countries.  We’re seeing it in the work that we’re doing together now on climate change.  We’re seeing it in the work that we’re doing on building the resilience of our supply chains, which we know is so critical.  We’re working together to address the needs in the Mekong Delta, including on agriculture,” he added.

Blinken said the two countries are working together for mutual interests to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, peace and prosperity, adding, he focused on "how our countries can advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for the rules-based international order.”