Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Vietnam Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang in Singapore today and discussed opportunities to strengthen the defense pillar of the close partnership between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Secretary Austin highlighted the strong foundation of bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Vietnam, built on efforts by both sides to address legacies of war issues, pandemic response, and efforts to strengthen humanitarian assistance capabilities. Both leaders also discussed regional security developments, including challenges to the rules-based maritime order in Southeast Asia. The Secretary and Minister agreed to seek additional opportunities to advance practical cooperation in support of both nations’ shared security objectives.