(VOVworld) - US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited Vietnam with the aim of strengthening ties between the two countries, particularly in national defense, said US media. The visit is considered clear evidence for a comprehensive cooperation while reiterating US “Back in Asia” strategy. The Secretary said Vietnam and the US need to further boost exchange of high-ranking delegations, maritime cooperation, humanitarian aids, natural disaster mitigation, and peacekeeping. 

Panetta is on his landmark visit to Vietnam

Panetta told a Foxnews reporter about the importance of this visit and his hope to improve the relations with Vietnam. Panetta said: "The war does play a big role in terms of not only the lessons we’ve leanred from that war, but I think also the fact that as a result of that war we probably have an even higher obligation to get involved in the healing process by improving our relations with this country." US journals also covered the Secretary’s tour to Cam Ranh Bay of Khanh Hoa province, and quoted his saying that the visit attests to the development of Vietnam-US relationship.

                                                                              Minh Hien, VOV correspondent in Washington