On July 1, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs David Helvey spoke by telephone with his counterpart, Deputy Defense Minister SrLTG Nguyen Chi Vinh, to discuss COVID-19 response, regional issues, and bilateral defense cooperation. A/ASD Helvey commended Vietnam’s effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the two pledged to continue coordination in addressing the outbreak, including by expanding military medicine cooperation. A/ASD Helvey and SrLTG Vinh agreed to continue close cooperation on legacy of war and personnel accounting issues and to advance bilateral defense cooperation, particularly in the area of maritime security. A/ASD Helvey expressed DoD’s continued support to Vietnam during its chairmanship this year of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).