Defense · Defense Diplomacy
Defense Diplomacy Drives U.S.–Vietnam Strategic Cooperation
U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Hanoi marked a new phase in U.S.–Vietnam defense diplomacy, emphasizing post-war reconciliation and strategic deterrence. Both nations discussed arms sales, war legacy remediation, and security cooperation, aligning their partnership with broader Indo-Pacific stability goals. The meetings highlighted Vietnam’s pragmatic approach—strengthening defense capacity while maintaining strategic autonomy—and Washington’s goal of enhancing collective deterrence in the South China Sea against regional coercion.
