{"id":377,"date":"2025-12-22T21:07:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T02:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam50.us\/Home\/?page_id=377"},"modified":"2026-01-24T13:21:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T18:21:57","slug":"chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations-2000-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vietnam50.us\/Home\/reports\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations-2000-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Chronology of U.S.-Vietnam Relations (2000-2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<html><head><meta content=\"text\/html; charset=UTF-8\" http-equiv=\"content-type\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@import url(https:\/\/themes.googleusercontent.com\/fonts\/css?kit=1BVhQjsg_ddXeTZ1N5YwRA);ol{margin:0;padding:0}table td,table th{padding:0}.c11{-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;color:#467886;font-weight:400;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;font-size:10pt;font-family:\"Times New 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Roman\"}.c17{background-color:#ffffff;max-width:468pt;padding:72pt 72pt 72pt 72pt}.c32{background-color:#ffffff;color:#1b5377}.c16{width:33%;height:1px}.c0{color:inherit;text-decoration:inherit}.c34{font-size:10pt}.c6{height:12pt}.c33{font-style:italic}.c19{font-weight:400}.c3{vertical-align:super}.c13{color:#26221f}.c7{font-weight:700}.c22{color:#000000}.title{padding-top:0pt;color:#000000;font-size:28pt;padding-bottom:4pt;font-family:\"Play\";line-height:1.0;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}.subtitle{padding-top:0pt;color:#595959;font-size:14pt;padding-bottom:8pt;font-family:\"Aptos\";line-height:1.0;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}li{color:#000000;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Times New Roman\"}p{margin:0;color:#000000;font-size:12pt;font-family:\"Times New Roman\"}h1{padding-top:24pt;color:#0f4761;font-weight:700;font-size:18pt;padding-bottom:10pt;font-family:\"Times New Roman\";line-height:1.0;page-break-after:avoid;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}h2{padding-top:8pt;color:#0f4761;font-size:16pt;padding-bottom:4pt;font-family:\"Play\";line-height:1.0;page-break-after:avoid;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}h3{padding-top:8pt;color:#0f4761;font-size:14pt;padding-bottom:4pt;font-family:\"Aptos\";line-height:1.0;page-break-after:avoid;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}h4{padding-top:4pt;color:#0f4761;font-size:12pt;padding-bottom:2pt;font-family:\"Aptos\";line-height:1.0;page-break-after:avoid;font-style:italic;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}h5{padding-top:4pt;color:#0f4761;font-size:12pt;padding-bottom:2pt;font-family:\"Aptos\";line-height:1.0;page-break-after:avoid;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}h6{padding-top:2pt;color:#595959;font-size:12pt;padding-bottom:0pt;font-family:\"Aptos\";line-height:1.0;page-break-after:avoid;font-style:italic;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left}<\/style><\/head><body class=\"c17 doc-content\"><div><p class=\"c6 c26\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><\/div><p class=\"c6 c28\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c28\"><span>Drafted by An T. Nguy&#7871;n (University of Maine), Nov. 9, 2025<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.g7avzb50wx6l\"><span>2000<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c32 c7\">February 28<\/span><span class=\"c5\">&mdash;Vietnam announces for the first time that it will pay compensation for soldiers (1961-1975) and their children (about 2 millions) affected by Agent Orange during the war with the United States.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7 c32\">March 30<\/span><span class=\"c5\">&mdash;The Air Force (Ranch Hand Study) has found the strongest evidence to date that exposure to Agent Orange is linked to diabetes.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c32 c7\">April 19<\/span><span class=\"c5\">&mdash;South Korean veterans (of the U.S. allied forces) admit to many cases of massacre of civilians in Vietnam in 1966. South Korea sent 320,000 troops to support the U.S. in Vietnam during the period of 1965-1973 4,960 killed and 11,000 injured.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The 25th Anniversary of the Victory of Peace in Vietnam, A Celebration and Rededication, at the Stephen W&iacute;se Free Synagogue.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 13&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. and Vietnam sign their first bilateral trade agreement (BTA)<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.qr4gkklbsrot\"><span>2001<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 1&mdash;<\/span><span>The Vietnam Education Foundation Act, creating the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF), is implemented after it was passed by Congress on December 27, 2000. The Act authorizes $5 million annually until 2019 to fund Vietnamese students studying in the U.S., primarily in STEM fields. Over its lifespan, VEF has supported more than 600 Vietnamese graduate students and scholars, strengthening bilateral ties through education.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt1\" id=\"ftnt_ref1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 31&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Prime Minister Phan V&#259;n Kh&#7843;i issues a decision implementing Vietnam&rsquo;s commitments under the U.S.&ndash;Vietnam BTA, preparing tariff schedules and legal changes that would take effect later in the year. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 11&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">A U.S. citizen diplomacy delegation organized by PeaceTrees Vietnam travels to Qu&#7843;ng Tr&#7883; Province to participate in tree planting ceremonies on land newly cleared of unexploded ordnance (UXO). This is one of the earliest large-scale volunteer trips combining UXO clearance, reforestation, and reconciliation. PeaceTrees Vietnam was founded in 1995 by Jerilyn Brusseau in memory of her brother who died in the Vietnam War. It is a U.S.-based nonprofit that clears unexploded ordnance in central Vietnam, supports survivors, and builds schools and community projects to promote safety, reconciliation, and healing.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam&rsquo;s National Assembly ratifies the U.S.&ndash;Vietnam BTA, clearing the way for tariff reductions, market access commitments, and legal reforms aligned with international trade norms.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 11&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam&rsquo;s leaders express condolences and solidarity with the U.S. after the terrorist attacks, condemning terrorism and signaling cooperation on security and law enforcement. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 10&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement enters into force after the exchange of diplomatic notes. It slashes tariffs and codified commitments on services, investment, and IP protection. The BTA triggers a surge in bilateral trade and accelerates Vietnam&rsquo;s legal harmonization and labor reforms.<\/span><span class=\"c3\">&nbsp;<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt2\" id=\"ftnt_ref2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 14&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">U.S. and Vietnamese defense and POW\/MIA teams complete a Joint Field Activity in northern and central Vietnam, conducting site surveys, interviews, and excavations. These operations maintain war-legacy cooperation, a pillar of the relationship since normalization.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.tpsprarnmkka\"><span class=\"c18 c7\">2002<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">March 3&ndash;6<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Hundreds of American and Vietnamese scientists, doctors, and policymakers gather at the first Vietnamese&ndash;U.S. scientific conference on Agent Orange in H&agrave; N&#7897;i<br>to discuss the lingering health and environmental effects of dioxin contamination from the Vietnam War. This marks the first time such a joint scientific forum is held and a step toward cooperation on one of the most sensitive legacies of the conflict. It also lays the groundwork for later U.S. funding of dioxin remediation projects.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">April 30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam is placed on the U.S. Special 301 Watch List. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative cites Vietnam&rsquo;s weak enforcement of intellectual property rights, particularly in music piracy and trademark violations. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">May 8-15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Vietnamese religious delegation arrives in the U.S. accepting the invitation from the General Board of Church and Society &ograve;f the United Methodist Church in the U.S. &nbsp;The Vietnamese delegation consists of 6 members of the Vietnam Religious Commission, 2 from the Foreign Ministry, and 1 from the State Office, Rev. Ph&#7841;m Xu&acirc;n Thi&#7873;u, rev. Th&aacute;i Ph&#432;&#7899;c Tr&#432;&#7901;ng, rev. Ha Br&ocirc;ng, Rev. Th&iacute;ch Hi&#7875;n Ph&aacute;p, Rev. Thich Tri Quang, Rev Thich Gia Quang, Rev. Dao Nhu, Rev. Dinh Chau Tran. Catholic Rev Dinh Van Sang does not have a U.S. v&iacute;sa in time..<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">May 9&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Welcome Vice President Nguy&#7877;n Th&#7883; B&igrave;nh by the left at the 1199 SEIU Conference room headed by the UN Ambassador and co-chair of Vietnam Solidarity Committee, and the Vietnamese religious delegation is also present.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">June 3&mdash;<\/span><span>President George W. Bush renews Vietnam&rsquo;s Jackson&ndash;Vanik waiver (originally granted by President Bill Clinton in 1998 under the Jackson&ndash;Vanik amendment of the 1974 Trade Act, which restricted trade with countries limiting emigration). This renewal allows U.S. government agencies like the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Export-Import Bank to support American businesses operating in Vietnam. The waiver is a key step in encouraging U.S. investment and demonstrates the administration&rsquo;s commitment to deepening economic ties despite lingering concerns over human rights.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt3\" id=\"ftnt_ref3\">[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">June 28&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The American Catfish Farmers Association files an anti-dumping petition in which U.S. producers accuse Vietnamese exporters of selling basa and tra fish at unfairly low prices. This marks the beginning of the so-called &ldquo;catfish war,&rdquo; the first major trade dispute between the two countries, and highlights the tensions that could arise as Vietnam&rsquo;s low-cost exports gains market share in the U.S.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">July 23&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. House of Representatives rejects a resolution of disapproval of the Jackson&ndash;Vanik waiver. The vote (338 to 91) shows growing bipartisan acceptance of normalization. Just a few years earlier, such a waiver would have faced stronger opposition. The outcome reflects how economic engagement was beginning to outweigh Cold War-era skepticism.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">August 8&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. International Trade Commission issues a preliminary ruling on catfish imports. The ITC finds that Vietnamese catfish imports threaten material injury to U.S. producers, moving the anti-dumping case forward. This escalates the trade dispute and foreshadows a contentious battle over labeling and tariffs between the two countries.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">September 19&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. and Vietnam hold a human rights dialogue in Washington, D.C.<br>This round of talks address issues such as religious freedom, political prisoners, and press restrictions. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">December 31&mdash;<\/span><span>The first full year of the Bilateral Trade Agreement concludes. Trade statistics show Vietnamese exports to the U.S. have more than doubled, rising from $1.06 billion in 2001 to $2.39 billion in 2002. The U.S. has also become Vietnam&rsquo;s largest export market for the first time.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt4\" id=\"ftnt_ref4\">[4]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;This surge underscores the transformative impact of the BTA and sets the stage for Vietnam&rsquo;s eventual accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). <\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.jvj8zxtmgwc4\"><span>2003<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">January 27&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. Commerce Department issues a preliminary decision that Vietnamese exporters are dumping frozen fish fillets at margins averaging 64% below fair market value, escalating the ongoing catfish dispute.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">February 1&mdash;<\/span><span>U.S. and Vietnamese negotiators begin formal talks on a textile agreement. The U.S. proposes restricting Vietnam&rsquo;s textile exports to slightly above 2002 levels.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt5\" id=\"ftnt_ref5\">[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">April 22&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam accepts a U.S. ultimatum on textile quotas, agreeing to base quota levels on trade through February 2003 rather than November 2002.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">April 25&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. and Vietnam agree on a bilateral textile agreement after nearly three weeks of negotiations. It imposes quotas on 38 categories of clothing imports and reaffirms Vietnam&rsquo;s cooperation with the ILO and U.S. Labor Department.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Vietnam Human Rights Act, aiming to restrict non-humanitarian aid to Vietnam unless Vietnam has made progress on human rights issues, is added as an amendment (Smith Amendment) to the House Foreign Relations Authorization Act (HR 1950). The authorization bill passes in the House on July 15 and is sent to the Senate.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt6\" id=\"ftnt_ref6\">[6]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c2\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 17&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Vietnam-U.S. Garment and Textile Agreement is signed in H&agrave; N&#7897;i.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt7\" id=\"ftnt_ref7\">[7]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">October 15&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S.-Vietnam science and technology cooperation agreement, signed in 2000, goes into effect, opening avenues for joint research in agriculture, health, and IT.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt8\" id=\"ftnt_ref8\">[8]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">November 19&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Navy missile frigate USS Vandegrift docks in H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City, becoming the first U.S. Navy ship to dock in Vietnam since the end of the war.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">December 4&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister V&#361; Khoan visits Washington, D.C. and other U.S. cities. The U.S. and Vietnam sign a Bilateral Aviation Agreement, which has seen been amended several times. The original agreement allows direct passenger and cargo flights between the two countries, among other provisions, and is part of a larger effort to continue normalization and boost trade and tourism.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">December 10&mdash;<\/span><span>The second anniversary of the BTA&rsquo;s entry into force is marked by both governments, with trade having more than doubled since 2001. Vietnamese exports to the U.S. now exceed $2.9 billion, dominated by textiles and seafood.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt9\" id=\"ftnt_ref9\">[9]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.jzn0b39ue5td\"><span class=\"c18 c7\">2004<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">January 30&mdash;<\/span><span>The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange\/Dioxin (VAVA) and individual plaintiffs file a lawsuit (<\/span><span class=\"c33\">Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange, et al. v. Dow Chemical Company, Monsanto Company, et al<\/span><span class=\"c1\">.) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Dow, Monsanto, and 35 other chemical companies. The suit argues that the use of Agent Orange constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">February 25&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. State Department releases its annual human rights report on Vietnam, describing the record as &ldquo;poor&rdquo; but noting slight improvements. This sparks criticism in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, which rejects the report as interference. The exchange highlights how human rights remain a recurring source of turbulence in otherwise improving ties.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">April 2&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Congressional U.S.-Vietnam Caucus, which seeks to monitor and support normalized relations between the United States and Vietnam, is created and co-chaired by Congressmen Rob Simmons (R-CT) and Lane Evans (D-IL) co-chairs. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">April 15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">U.S. and Vietnamese officials hold bilateral talks on military medicine in H&agrave; N&#7897;i. This is part of a cautious expansion of defense cooperation, focusing on non-sensitive areas like health, disaster relief, and search-and-rescue. Such exchanges lay groundwork for broader security ties while avoiding friction with China. USPACOM (now known as U.S. Indo-Pacific Command) sponsors a four-day workshop in H&agrave; N&#7897;i designed to increase knowledge and awareness of HIV\/AIDS issues within the Vietnamese military.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">June 7-12<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Tr&#432;&#417;ng &#272;&igrave;nh Tuy&#7875;n, Vietnam&rsquo;s Minister of Trade, meets in Washington with key U.S. government officials to discuss Vietnam&rsquo;s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the U.S.-Vietnam Textile Agreement, and implementation of the U.S.-Vietnamese Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">June 16&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam holds the 8th Working Party round of WTO accession negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. Bilateral negotiations are held with various member countries including Australia, the EU, and the United States.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">June 23&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">President George W. Bush announces that Vietnam will be included in the President&rsquo;s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), making it the first Asian country to receive funds. The program aims to prevent 660,000 new infections and provide care for 80,000 people, reflecting a humanitarian dimension to the relationship.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">July 15&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. House of Representatives passes the Vietnam Human Rights Act, condemning H&agrave; N&#7897;i&rsquo;s repression of dissidents and proposing to cap non-humanitarian aid at $40 million. Vietnam denounces the bill as &ldquo;detrimental to bilateral relations.&rdquo;<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt10\" id=\"ftnt_ref10\">[10]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">July 20&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Assistant Secretary of Defense Jerry Jennings visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i for POW\/MIA talks. Vietnam agrees to accelerate cooperation by granting U.S. investigators greater access to archives, resuming searches in the Central Highlands (suspended since 2001 unrest), and extending recovery operations to coastal waters.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">July 21&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Resolution of the National Convention of Veterans for Peace in Boston founds the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief &amp; Responsibility fund (cf. vn-agentorange.org\/vfp2004-resolution\/). <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">September 15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. Secretary of State designates Vietnam a &ldquo;Country of Particular Concern&rdquo; (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing severe violations of religious freedom. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">October 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The founding of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange\/Dioxin (VAVA) with 16 founding Central Committee members and Madam Nguy&#7877;n Th&#7883; B&igrave;nh, the Honorary President, and General &#272;&#7863;ng V&#361; Hi&#7879;p (assuming its presidency).<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c2\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">October 11&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Ministry of Education and Training promulgates the college social work code for all universities in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">October 20&mdash;<\/span><span>Vietnam&rsquo;s National Assembly passes revisions to commercial and investment laws to align with WTO requirements.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt11\" id=\"ftnt_ref11\">[11]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">November 19&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. Department of Commerce revises its shrimp ruling, lowering tariffs to between 4.13% and 25.76%. While still painful for Vietnamese exporters, the adjustment eases tensions somewhat.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt12\" id=\"ftnt_ref12\">[12]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">November 24&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. Congress passes the FY2004 National Defense Authorization Act, which included language urging aggressive pursuit of MIA cases and authorized a $1 million reward for information on unresolved cases such as Navy pilot Scott Speicher.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt13\" id=\"ftnt_ref13\">[13]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c21 c19\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\" id=\"h.t7k0c57nrvnn\"><span class=\"c7\">December 4&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. and Vietnam conduct a joint POW\/MIA repatriation ceremony in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, returning remains believed to be of American servicemen.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c21 c19\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">December 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">United Airlines inaugurates direct flights from San Francisco to H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City (via Hong Kong), the first U.S. commercial airline service since 1975. <\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.tk88ze75764v\"><span>2005<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">February 28&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c25\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn-agentorange.org\/founding-call\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498360337&amp;usg=AOvVaw1BM71mSi3k5z6fbqCdaHLU\">Vietnam Agent Orange Relief &amp; Responsibility Campaign<\/a><\/span><span>&nbsp;is launched, a non-profit national coalition, a project of Veterans For Peace, with an initial <\/span><span class=\"c25\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn-agentorange.org\/vaorrc-national-board\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498360539&amp;usg=AOvVaw2RCMAvn_9SOjnI-JcYeVI-\">national board<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;of 48 &nbsp;people consisting of veterans, Vietnamese Americans, labor activists, lawyers, scientists, clergy, artists, and other activists. The coalition works in partnership with the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange\/Dioxin (VAVA).<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 6&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Greeting Dr. Phi Phi from VAVA after the first court hearing at the 1199 SEIU Bread &amp; Rose Gallery.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 10&mdash;<\/span><span>Judge Jack B. Weinstein dismisses the case <\/span><span class=\"c33\">VAVA v. Dow Chemical Company, Monsanto Company, et al<\/span><span class=\"c1\">., ruling that the use of Agent Orange did not violate international law as it stood during the Vietnam War.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 29&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The USS Gary arrives in the port of HCMC, marking the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 16&ndash;25&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Veterans for Peace (VFP) Delegation visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i and Qu&#7843;ng Tr&#7883; where they meet with Vietnamese veterans and NGOs.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 19-24&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Prime Minister Phan V&#259;n Kh&#7843;i meets President George W. Bush in Washington, D.C. in the first visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister in the post-war period.&nbsp; During his visit, the two countries sign an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, as well as agreements on international adoptions, intelligence, and military cooperation.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 11&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">A U.S. volunteer group joins PeaceTrees staff and local communities in H&#432;&#7899;ng H&oacute;a District, Qu&#7843;ng Tr&#7883;, for a mine&#8209;awareness education program with local schools and a tree&#8209;planting event marking the 10th anniversary of PeaceTrees&rsquo; founding and commemorating reconciliation between Americans and Vietnamese. H&#432;&#7899;ng H&oacute;a was one of the most heavily bombed regions during the war.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 12 to December 12&mdash;<\/span><span>the first <\/span><span class=\"c33\">Vietnam Agent Orange Justice Tour<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;with Vietnamese victims H&#7889; S&#297; H&#7843;i and &#272;&#7863;ng H&#7891;ng Nh&#7921;t, accompanied by Dr. Nguy&#7877;n Tr&#7885;ng Nh&acirc;n (former President of Vietnam Red Cross), and V&#361; B&igrave;nh (translator), visiting 10 U.S. cities: Boston MA, New York NY, Philadelphia PA, Washington DC, Raleigh NC, Chicago IL, Santa Fe NM, Seattle WA, Portland OR, and San Francisco CA.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 17&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">President George W. Bush visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i for the APEC Summit. Alongside official meetings, he emphasizes educational and cultural ties, meeting with Vietnamese youth and civil society representatives.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">December 12&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam WTO negotiators participates in a Working Party Meeting in Geneva.&nbsp;Bilateral discussions are simultaneously held with the United States.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.f688t4vz77sb\"><span>2006<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">February 20&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. and Vietnam resume bilateral talks in H&agrave; N&#7897;i on human rights after a three-year break.&nbsp; <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 28-29<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The International Conference of Victims of Agent Orange convenes in Hanoi &#432;ith the participation of South Korea, the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia and social movements from France, Germany, Switzerland, Russia and Great Britain. &nbsp;In the following years, all U.S. allies during the war in Vietnam compensate the veteran victims of Agent Orange.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 31<\/span><span>&#8211;<\/span><span class=\"c7\">June 2&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. and Vietnam sign the bilateral agreement on Vietnam&rsquo;s accession to the WTO. Accordingly, Vietnam agrees to open its markets to U.S. goods and services, including agriculture, industrial products, banking, telecommunications, and distribution services. This is a critical step toward global economic integration for Vietnam.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt14\" id=\"ftnt_ref14\">[14]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 4-6<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits Vietnam to discuss ways to broaden defense cooperation.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">August 17&mdash;<\/span><span>A Letter of Understanding regarding continuing labor cooperation between the U.S. Department of Labor and the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is signed in Washington D.C.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt15\" id=\"ftnt_ref15\">[15]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">August 21 to Septemer 1<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;32 South Korean victims of Agent Orange bring their cases to the United Nations in New York and to the White House in Washington DC.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 7&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The World Trade Organization formally invites Vietnam to become a member.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 17-20<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;U.S. President George W. Bush begins a four-day visit to Vietnam where he participates in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders&rsquo; meeting. Vietnam hosted APEC Leaders&rsquo; Meeting in H&agrave; N&#7897;i for the first time.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 8&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. Congress grants Vietnam Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 20<\/span><span>&mdash;President Bush signs Vietnam PNTR into law on December 20 (Public Law 109-432).<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt16\" id=\"ftnt_ref16\">[16]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.fn3le0l2tsgl\"><span>2007<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 11&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam becomes the 150th Member of the World Trade Organization.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c2\">February<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The U.S.-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange\/Dioxin is established by &ldquo;prominent private citizens, scientists and policy-makers&rdquo; from both countries, and coordinated by the Aspen Institute and supported by the Ford Foundation, to jointly address dioxin cleanup and support for victims of the U.S. defoliation campaign during the war in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 15&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Maritime Agreement is signed in Washington D.C, which goes into effect on July 15.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt17\" id=\"ftnt_ref17\">[17]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 28&ndash;30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Joint U.S.&ndash;Vietnam NGO Agent Orange Conferences takes place in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, hosted by VAVA and U.S. solidarity groups.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 25&mdash;<\/span><span>The 110th Congress passes the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans&#39; Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (P.L. 110-28), which includes the first explicit appropriation of funds to address the consequences of Agent Orange, totaling $3 million for &ldquo;for the remediation of dioxin contaminated sites in Vietnam, and to support health programs in communities near those sites.&rdquo;<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt18\" id=\"ftnt_ref18\">[18]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 16 to 23<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The Second Agent Orange Victims Justice Tour with Nguy&#7877;n V&#259;n Qu&yacute;, Nguy&#7877;n Th&#7883; H&#7891;ng, V&otilde; Thanh H&#7843;i, Nguy&#7877;n M&#432;&#7901;i and Prof. Tr&#7847;n Xu&acirc;n Thu, visiting 5 U.S. cities: New York NY, Washington DC, Midland WI, Chicago IL and San Francisco CA. On June 18 they attended the U.S. Court of Appeals in NYC.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 24-29<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n T&#7845;n D&#361;ng pays a five-day visit to New York to attend the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly and to garner support for Vietnam&rsquo;s bid for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 16&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam is elected as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 3 to 8&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Third Agent Orange Victims Justice Tour with Dr. Ng&#7885;c Ph&#432;&#7907;ng in Washington DC. &nbsp;She spoke at the National Lawyers Guild Convention on Nov 3. On Nov 6, she spoke at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA). &nbsp;On Nov. 8, the first ever Agent Orange Policy #20075 of the APHA, passed with absolute majority, lobbied by VAORRC, VAVA and friends of Vietnam. She then v&iacute;sited Congressman John Conyers, Sheila Jackson Lee and Bob Filner.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.qm3uug7gxme8\"><span class=\"c18 c7\">2008<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">January 22&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The US-Vietnam Repatriation Agreement is signed in H&agrave; N&#7897;i.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt19\" id=\"ftnt_ref19\">[19]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;The agreement creates a process to deport people to Vietnam who came to the U.S. after July 12, 1995. Under this agreement, pre-1995 Vietnamese are <\/span><span class=\"c2\">not <\/span><span class=\"c1\">subject to deportation to Vietnam. This will later be rescinded by President Trump in 2020.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">January 28&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2008 (Public Law 110-181, Section 598) directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt20\" id=\"ftnt_ref20\">[20]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;This provides the legal and financial foundation for the Pentagon&rsquo;s public relations campaign. This campaign, which is designed to &ldquo;honor and thank&rdquo; veterans and frame the war in patriotic terms will later prompt the formation of the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee, an organization created by anti&#8209;war activists to counterbalance that narrative by highlighting the war&rsquo;s costs, mistakes, and the role of the peace movement.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">May 15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, <\/span><span>chaired by Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (D-AS),<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;convenes a hearing on Agent Orange in Washington, entitled &ldquo;Our Forgotten Responsibility: What Can We Do to Help Victims of Agent Orange.<\/span><span>&rdquo; Jeanne Mirer (VAORRC) and Dr. Nguy&#7871;n Th&#7883; Ng&#7885;c Ph&#432;&#7907;ng (VAVA) participate.<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&rdquo;<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt21\" id=\"ftnt_ref21\">[21]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">June 19-28<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The USNS Mercy ship docks at Kh&aacute;nh H&ograve;a province to conduct a 10-day humanitarian mission. More than 150 patients, mostly children, undergo operations for birth defects aboard the hospital ship.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">June 23-26<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n T&#7845;n D&#361;ng officially visits the U.S. as a guest of President Bush. The visit marks a new step forward in bilateral relations.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 29 to October 30<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The Fourth Vietnam Agent Orange Justice Tour with Tr&#7847;n Th&#7883; Hoan and &#272;&#7863;ng H&#7891;ng Nh&#7853;t accompanied by Ms. &#272;inh Th&#7883; Minh Huy&#7873;n (interpreter) to visit: New York City, Washington DC, Birmingham AL, Pittsburgh PA, Detroit MI, Chicago IL, Portland and Eugene OR, Los Angeles and San Francisco CA.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">October 6&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam and the U.S. conduct their first ever strategic dialogue addressing political, security, defense and humanitarian cooperation issues, in H&agrave; N&#7897;i.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">October 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Following a record 762 strikes in 2008, the Vietnamese government responds with a significant wage adjustment. Decree 111\/2008\/ND&#8209;CP, effective January 1, 2009, raises minimum wages by 13&ndash;15%. This decree applies to Vietnamese employees working in enterprises with foreign investment, international organizations, and foreign individuals in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.y14bcp1ba56k\"><span>2009<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">January 8&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c19 c13 c20\">Human Rights Watch reports that the Ministry of Communication plans to ask<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c13\">Google and Yahoo to regulate the content of Vietnamese blogs and websites.<\/span><sup class=\"c3 c13\"><a href=\"#ftnt22\" id=\"ftnt_ref22\">[22]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c20 c19 c13\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 15-16<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Over 400 educators and officials attend the Higher Education in Vietnam: American-Vietnamese Partnerships Conference in H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City, organized by the U.S. Mission in Vietnam, Vietnam National University and the Ministry of Education and Training. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">March 2&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. Supreme Court announces it would not take the <\/span><span class=\"c33\">VAVA v. Dow Chemical Co.<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;case, after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld dismissal of the lawsuit in 2008. This effectively ends the legal battle in U.S. courts, though it spurs international activism and symbolic judgements such as seen in May of this year.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 6-7<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;U.S. Senator John McCain visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i and has meetings with Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n T&#7845;n D&#361;ng and National Assembly Chairman Nguy&#7877;n Ph&uacute; Tr&#7885;ng.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 15-22&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The secretariat of the Vietnam-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council convene in Washington to discuss bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade, intellectual property protection and labor.yes<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">May 7&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c13\">97-year-old legendary national hero General V&otilde; Nguy&ecirc;n Gi&aacute;p publicly urges the government to reconsider its recently announced bauxite mining plan. In 2007, Vietnam had approved two projects to exploit bauxite in the Central Highlands (L&acirc;m &#272;&#7891;ng, Dak Nong). By spring 2009, state-run Vinacomin had formed a $460 million joint venture with China&rsquo;s Aluminum Corp. to mine the ore, part of a broader plan to tap what may be the world&rsquo;s third-largest bauxite reserves.<\/span><span class=\"c22\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c20 c19 c13\">The initiative sparked strong domestic opposition over environmental damage, toxic waste, displacement of ethnic minorities, and fears of growing Chinese influence. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c13\">Alongside Gi&aacute;p, former Vice President Nguy&#7877;n Th&#7883; B&igrave;nh, scientists, academics, and religious leaders also voice concerns, intensifying pressure on H&agrave; N&#7897;i.<\/span><sup class=\"c3 c13\"><a href=\"#ftnt23\" id=\"ftnt_ref23\">[23]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">May 15-18&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c20 c19 c13\">The International People&rsquo;s Tribunal of Conscience in Paris delivers a symbolic judgment, finding U.S. chemical companies guilty of crimes against humanity and ordering them to compensate victims. Though not legally binding, the ruling raises international awareness and support for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c20 c13 c7\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">June 8&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c13\">The U.S. and Vietnam hold their second Security Dialogue in Washington, focusing on peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and search-and-rescue. Vietnam agrees to send a higher-level observer to the Garuda Shield exercise in Indonesia, part of the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI)&mdash;a U.S.-led program launched in 2004 to build countries&rsquo; capacity for UN and regional peacekeeping. This was a modest but symbolically important gesture, showing Vietnam&rsquo;s willingness to deepen defense ties with the U.S. in &ldquo;safe&rdquo; multilateral areas like peacekeeping, while carefully avoiding moves that might alarm China.<\/span><span class=\"c3 c13\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c13\">Other topics include maritime security, counterterrorism, counternarcotics, border security, nonproliferation, and high-level exchanges.<\/span><sup class=\"c3 c13\"><a href=\"#ftnt24\" id=\"ftnt_ref24\">[24]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">June 13&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c20 c19 c13\">Vietnamese authorities arrest human rights lawyer L&ecirc; C&ocirc;ng &#272;&#7883;nh, reportedly for violating article 88 of Vietnam&rsquo;s criminal code, &ldquo;conducting propaganda against the government,&rdquo; which carries a sentence of up to 20 years. &#272;&#7883;nh is best known for his defense of Vietnamese bloggers, human rights defenders, and democracy and labor rights activists. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">June 15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c13\">The U.S. International Trade Commission and International Trade Administration announce that punitive tariffs of up to 64% on Vietnamese frozen catfish will remain in place. These duties, first imposed in 2003 after rulings that Vietnamese firms had dumped products on the U.S. market, are upheld following mandatory &ldquo;sunset&rdquo; reviews.<\/span><span class=\"c22\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c13\">Vietnam&rsquo;s concerns are compounded by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Farm Bill, signed June 2008), which includes stricter inspection and labeling rules for catfish. H&agrave; N&#7897;i and fish farmers argue the measures discriminated against a vital export industry.<\/span><sup class=\"c3 c13\"><a href=\"#ftnt25\" id=\"ftnt_ref25\">[25]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">July 23&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c13\">On the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phuket, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with the foreign ministers of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand for the first U.S.&ndash;Lower Mekong Ministerial. They discuss climate change, infectious disease, education, and food security, and agree to continued cooperation. A new &ldquo;sister river&rdquo; partnership between the Mekong and Mississippi River Commissions is announced to share expertise on water management and adaptation. The Obama Administration seeks $15 million in FY2010 for Mekong food security programs, while Vietnam and Cambodia press for greater U.S. involvement, partly due to concerns over the impact of Chinese dams on downstream countries.<\/span><sup class=\"c3 c13\"><a href=\"#ftnt26\" id=\"ftnt_ref26\">[26]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c13 c7\">September 30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c20 c19 c13\">Ambassador Michalak and Vice Minister Ph&#7841;m V&#361; Lu&#7853;n of Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Education and Training sign the long-anticipated U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Education Task Force Final Report. It outlines recommendations for how the two governments can work together to foster public&ndash;private partnerships aimed at strengthening Vietnam&rsquo;s education system and expanding opportunities for Vietnamese students to study in the United States. It also provides a roadmap for establishing an American-style university in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 21&mdash;<\/span><span>U.S. House of Representatives passes House Resolution 672 introduced by Representative Loretta Sanchez, (D- CA) of the Foreign Affairs Committee supporting the right of Vietnam&rsquo;s citizens to access websites of their choosing and to have the freedom to share and publish information over the Internet. It urges the government of Vietnam to repeal its laws restricting free speech and release all political prisoners.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt27\" id=\"ftnt_ref27\">[27]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">October 30<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Decree 97\/2009\/ND&#8209;CP, effective in January 1, 2010, stipulates a 10-15% wage increase. The decree came after the return of inflation and the resurgence of strikes.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">October 29<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Decree 108\/2010\/ND&#8209;CP, effective <\/span><span>on January<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;1, 2011, stipulates a wage increase of 12&ndash;14%, after inflation <\/span><span>returns<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;and the number of strikes totaled 423 in 2010.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">November 3-4&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">National Conference on Development of Social Work in Vietnam, organized jointly by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, UNICEF, The Atlantic Philanthropies, European Union and Save the Children convening in the City of Da Nang, Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">December 4&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. and Vietnam conduct a Joint POW\/MIA repatriation ceremony in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, returning remains believed to be of American servicemen.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">December 16&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c20 c19 c13\">The U.S. government and Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) sign a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for joint environmental health and remediation programs, including cooperation on addressing the impacts of Agent Orange\/dioxin.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 14 to December 17&mdash;<\/span><span>Joint Seminar on Marxist Theory and Practice in the World Today, between the world marxist theorists and Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.opkaxrv85jld\"><span>2010<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">March 11&mdash;<\/span><span>President Obama launches the National Export Initiative, designed to help double U.S. exports by 2015. The NEI identifies Vietnam as a &ldquo;priority market,&rdquo; which is further reflected in the fact that in the first four months of 2010, U.S. exports to Vietnam increased by around 4% compared to the same period in 2009. Year-on-year U.S. imports from Vietnam were up by 11%, largely due to increased shipments of Vietnamese clothing and furniture.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt28\" id=\"ftnt_ref28\">[28]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 15&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The United States and Vietnam join six other countries in holding the inaugural round of talks on expanding the Trans-Pacific Strategic and Economic Partnership (TPP) regional free trade agreement (FTA) in Australia.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 25&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Vice Prime Minister Phan V&#259;n Kh&#7843;i signed the Decision 32\/2010\/Q&#272; to approve the Professional Development Project for 2010-2020, a milestone in social work in Vietnam, which later in 2016 becomes the national day of social work in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Ambassador Michael Michalak and Vice-Minister of Science and Technology, L&ecirc; &#272;&igrave;nh Ti&#7871;n signs an MoU on Civil Nuclear Cooperation between the U.S. and the Vietnam governments.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 31-April 1&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S.-Vietnam Climate Change Working Group conducts its first formal meeting in H&agrave; N&#7897;i. The two nations formed the working group during Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n T&#7845;n D&#361;ng&rsquo;s 2008 visit to Washington D.C.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 4&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF)&rsquo;s Project RENEW, focusing on UXO clearance and victim assistance, is officially launched in Qu&#7843;ng Tr&#7883;.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April &#8211; May<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The Fifth Vietnam Agent Orange Justice Tour with Nguy&#7877;n Th&#7883; Hi&#7873;n and Ph&#7841;m Th&#7871; Minh in coordination with SpeakOut.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">April 12-13<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;At the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington D.C., Prime Minister D&#361;ng signs the Summit Communiqu&eacute; pledging to continue converting the &#272;&agrave; L&#7841;t reactor from HEU (highly enriched uranium) to LEU (low enriched uranium) and to join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">April 21&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&rsquo;s (CDC) Vietnam Influenza Program and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) sign a Letter of Intent to establish new collaborative activities to identify and respond to gaps in the animal-human interface (AHI) of zoonotic diseases.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">May 12&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">An MoU is signed creating a partnership between the Mekong River Commission and the Mississippi River Commission. The sister commissions will share research, expertise and experiences related to their river systems. The MoU is brokered by the U.S. State Department and the Nations of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">June 8&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The third U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue is held in H&agrave; N&#7897;i. The Dialogue addresses multiple areas in which the two nations already cooperate and areas where they can further strengthen bilateral relations, e.g. regional security, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, search and rescue, nonproliferation, counternarcotics, transnational crimes, U.S. naval ship visits to Vietnam, and other areas of mutual interest.<\/span><sup class=\"c3 c10\"><a href=\"#ftnt29\" id=\"ftnt_ref29\">[29]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c2\">June 16&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S.-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange\/Dioxin releases a proposed ten-year, $300 million &ldquo;action plan&rdquo; designed to provide &ldquo;a significant part of the long-term solution to the Agent Orange\/dioxin legacy in Vietnam.&rdquo; The report prioritizes clean-up of contaminated soils and damaged ecosystems, stopping further leaks from hot spots like &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng airport where materials were stored, and expanding and improving services to Vietnamese people with disabilities and their families.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt30\" id=\"ftnt_ref30\">[30]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 2&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. and Vietnam sign an agreement in H&agrave; N&#7897;i to begin a cooperative effort to deter, detect and interdict illicit smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material. The agreement paves the way for the U.S. Department of Energy&rsquo;s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to work with the Ministry of Finance&rsquo;s General Department of Customs and other ministries in Vietnam to install radiation detection equipment at ports in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 4-7<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;U.S. Senators Tom Harkin, Bernard Sanders and Al Franken visit Vietnam. In H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City, the group commemorates the 40th anniversary of Senator Harkin&rsquo;s investigation of the C&ocirc;n S&#417;n Island &ldquo;tiger cages.&rdquo;&nbsp;In &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng, the Senators visit USAID-funded disability rehabilitation and Agent Orange remediation projects, and in H&agrave; N&#7897;i the delegation meets on labor and trade issues.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 15<\/span><span>&mdash;The Third Congressional Hearing on Agent Orange in Vietnam: Recent Developments in Remediation, Ms Tr&#7847;n th&#7883; Hoan from VAVA, the first AO victim ever, testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives Committees on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia, The Pacific and the Global Environment. &nbsp;This is the Sixth Vietnam Agent Orange Justice Tour.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 22&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during her H&agrave; N&#7897;i visit, announces expanded Fulbright and exchange programs, framing education as the &ldquo;cornerstone&rdquo; of U.S.&ndash;Vietnam people&rsquo;s diplomacy.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 23&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam successfully uses its Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2010 to highlight important issues, including the South China Sea dispute between China and various ASEAN countries. Vietnam is able to get member countries to endorse the final statement for the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which emphasizes the need for a peaceful resolution and adherence to international law in the South China Sea. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reaffirms U.S. support for its Southeast Asian trading partners, including Vietnam, and the 2002 ASEAN-China declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt31\" id=\"ftnt_ref31\">[31]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 29&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">President Obama signs into law the Supplemental Appropriations Act (or Public Law 111-212), which includes $12 million for dioxin cleanup at the &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng Airport in Vietnam. The funds are also designated for related health activities addressing the effects of Agent Orange.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">August 25&mdash;<\/span><span>The Ministry of Interior promulgates the professional code for social work among the system of professional codes in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">November 21 to December 5&mdash;<\/span><span>The Seventh Agent Orange Justice Tour, led by VAVA President Nguy&#7877;n V&#259;n Rinh, Nguy&#7877;n Minh Y, Ms &#272;&#7863;ng H&#7891;ng Nh&#7921;t, Ph&#7841;m Tr&#432;&#7901;ng, and Nguy&#7877;n Tu&#7845;n Minh (interpreter) covering Oakland, San Francisco, New York, and Washington DC.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.phdxc0wmxmcc\"><span>2011<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">January<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;11th Communist Party Congress concludes in H&agrave; N&#7897;i. Nguy&#7877;n Ph&uacute; Tr&#7885;ng is elected as General Secretary; Nguy&#7877;n T&#7845;n D&#361;ng is confirmed as Prime Minister for a second term. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">March 28&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Around 90,000 workers at Pou Yuen (Pou Chen Group), a Taiwanese&#8209;owned footwear factory in H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City, stage a massive strike over low wages and poor conditions. This is one of the largest single strikes in Vietnam&rsquo;s history and ends after management agrees to raise wages and improve benefits.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt32\" id=\"ftnt_ref32\">[32]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">April 7&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnamese<\/span><span class=\"c2\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">American Heritage Month is first recognized in the U.S. Congress.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">June 9&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnamese authorities report that a Chinese fishing vessel, escorted by Chinese patrol boats, has cut the seismic cables of a PetroVietnam survey ship. This escalates tensions between the two countries and leads to anti-China protests in H&agrave; N&#7897;i and H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">June 26&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Deputy Foreign Minister H&#7891; Xu&acirc;n S&#417;n visits Beijing, where both sides release a joint statement pledging to resolve disputes peacefully and manage public opinion. China&rsquo;s version, however, emphasizes opposing &ldquo;outside powers&rdquo; in the dispute.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt33\" id=\"ftnt_ref33\">[33]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 20&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">At the ASEAN Regional Forum in Bali, ASEAN and China agree on guidelines to implement the 2002 Declaration of Conduct, a step toward a binding Code of Conduct, regarding the South China Sea disputes.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 22&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">At this same event, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issues a statement on the South China Sea, wherein she reaffirms that freedom of navigation is a U.S. &ldquo;national interest&rdquo; and opposes the use of force by claimants. During the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) ministerial meeting in Bali, the U.S. also pledges over $220 million for LMI-related programs in education, health, environment, and infrastructure.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt34\" id=\"ftnt_ref34\">[34]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">July 25<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Congressman Bob Filner introduces H.R. 2634, the first Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2011.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">August 9&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Second International Conference of Victims of Agent Orange, in Hanoi, Vietnam. VAORRC delegation from the &#431;S attends.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">August 22&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Vietnamese government issues Decree 70\/2011\/ND&#8209;CP, raising the regional minimum wages. The decree is explicitly framed as a response to labor unrest and inflationary pressures. By mid&#8209;2011, nearly 800 strikes have already occurred that year, driven by inflation and poor working conditions.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt35\" id=\"ftnt_ref35\">[35]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">September 19&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Senior officials from both countries meet at the U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue in Washington, D.C. to discuss regional security, maritime cooperation, and defense ties.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">November&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam formally participates in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks as a full member, with U.S. support, marking a milestone in economic relations.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt36\" id=\"ftnt_ref36\">[36]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">November 17&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel issues its final decision on the Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp from Vietnam&rsquo;s case (DS429). The panel finds that the U.S. Department of Commerce&rsquo;s use of the controversial &ldquo;zeroing&rdquo; methodology in calculating anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese frozen warm-water shrimp violates WTO rules. The ruling is a significant victory for Vietnam&rsquo;s seafood exporters, who have faced punitive tariffs since 2005.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt37\" id=\"ftnt_ref37\">[37]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.5uk2o5p57i5k\"><span>2012<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">March 23<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam and Russia sign an agreement on the repatriation of spent highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel from the &#272;&agrave; L&#7841;t research reactor to Russia, with U.S. support under the Global Threat Reduction Initiative.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt38\" id=\"ftnt_ref38\">[38]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">April 3&ndash;4<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;At the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and announces cooperation with South Korea and the IAEA on tracking radiological materials.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">April 27<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduces H.R. 5157, the Fostering Rights through Economic Engagement in Vietnam Act, which seeks to prohibit Vietnam&rsquo;s entry into the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) unless human rights and trafficking conditions improve.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt39\" id=\"ftnt_ref39\">[39]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">May 25<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;President Barack Obama issues a proclamation establishing the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. This marks the formal start of the program, with the commemorative period defined as Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">June 27<\/span><span>&mdash;The Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs holds a hearing on maritime disputes over the South China Sea, with Vietnam&rsquo;s tensions with China and U.S. involvement highlighted.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt40\" id=\"ftnt_ref40\">[40]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 11&ndash;13<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;At the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets Vietnamese Foreign Minister Ph&#7841;m B&igrave;nh Minh. Clinton reaffirms U.S. support for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and pledges continued cooperation under the Lower Mekong Initiative.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt41\" id=\"ftnt_ref41\">[41]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 13<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam, the U.S., and other Mekong countries meet in Phnom Penh as part of the Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial. The U.S. pledges expanded cooperation on education, environment, and infrastructure.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">August 1<\/span><span>&mdash;The USS George Washington aircraft carrier visits &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng, Vietnam, for naval exchanges and goodwill activities, part of expanding military-to-military ties.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt42\" id=\"ftnt_ref42\">[42]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">September 19<\/span><span>&mdash;U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue takes place in Washington, D.C., co-chaired by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Vietnamese Vice Foreign Minister H&agrave; Kim Ng&#7885;c. Discussions include South China Sea security, human rights, and trade.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt43\" id=\"ftnt_ref43\">[43]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">November 4<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Decree 103\/2012\/ND-CP, to go into effect on January 1, 2013, stipulates a 16&ndash;18% wage increase for workers. The decree arises after continued unrest and serves as part of a roadmap to unify minimum wages across sectors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">December 4<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) introduces U.S. House Resolution 484 condemning Vietnam&rsquo;s crackdown on bloggers and activists, urging repeal of Penal Code Articles 79 and 88.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt44\" id=\"ftnt_ref44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">December 10<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Alumni Conference takes place in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, bringing together hundreds of Vietnamese graduates of U.S. programs (Fulbright, VEF, etc.) to strengthen education networks between the two countries.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.6lockeomue1k\"><span>2013<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 9&mdash;<\/span><span>A Vietnamese court sentences 14 Catholic activists and bloggers to prison terms ranging from 3 to 13 years for &ldquo;subversion.&rdquo; The U.S. State Department and NGOs like Human Rights Watch condemn the verdict.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt45\" id=\"ftnt_ref45\">[45]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 20&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee holds a hearing on maritime disputes in East Asia, highlighting Vietnam&rsquo;s tensions with China and U.S. support for freedom of navigation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt46\" id=\"ftnt_ref46\">[46]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 26&mdash;<\/span><span>A workshop in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, co-hosted by Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Industry and Trade and USAID, discusses the TPP&rsquo;s implications for Vietnam. U.S. officials emphasize that labor standards will be a core requirement.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt47\" id=\"ftnt_ref47\">[47]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 13&ndash;14&mdash;<\/span><span>U.S. Trade Representative (Acting) Demetrios Marantis visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i to meet Vietnamese officials about the TPP. He specifically raises the need for strong labor standards as part of the agreement.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt48\" id=\"ftnt_ref48\">[48]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 17&mdash;<\/span><span>Acting Assistant Secretary of State Joseph Yun visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i to discuss TPP negotiations and human rights.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt49\" id=\"ftnt_ref49\">[49]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 8&mdash;<\/span><span>The Vietnam Human Rights Act (H.R. 1897) is introduced in the U.S. House, seeking to restrict increases in non-humanitarian aid unless Vietnam improves human rights. (The bill did not pass the Senate.)<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt50\" id=\"ftnt_ref50\">[50]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 9&mdash;<\/span><span>The Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act (S. 929) is introduced in the U.S. Senate, proposing sanctions on Vietnamese nationals complicit in human right abuses and requiring a public list of such individuals. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Boozman (R-AR), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). (The bill did not pass.)<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt51\" id=\"ftnt_ref51\">[51]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 16&mdash;<\/span><span>H.Res. 218 is introduced, urging redesignation of Vietnam as a &ldquo;Country of Particular Concern&rdquo; for religious freedom. It is later passed on April 29, 2014, by a vote of 403-13.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt52\" id=\"ftnt_ref52\">[52]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 22&mdash;<\/span><span>NGOs and U.S. officials criticize Vietnam&rsquo;s draft Internet Decree 72, which restricts online expression.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt53\" id=\"ftnt_ref53\">[53]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 4&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. House Subcommittee on Global Human Rights holds a hearing titled &ldquo;Continuing Repression by the Vietnamese Government.&rdquo;<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt54\" id=\"ftnt_ref54\">[54]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 10&mdash;<\/span><span>S.Res. 167 is introduced in the U.S. Senate, condemning coercion in South China Sea disputes and supporting ASEAN&ndash;China Code of Conduct talks.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt55\" id=\"ftnt_ref55\">[55]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 26&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2013, H.R.2519, is introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee with 13 co-sponsors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 25&mdash;<\/span><span>Vietnamese President Tr&#432;&#417;ng T&#7845;n Sang visit Washington, D.C., and meets President Obama. They announce the U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, expanding cooperation in trade, security, education, and environment. This is a major turning point in U.S.-Vietnam relations in the 21st century.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt56\" id=\"ftnt_ref56\">[56]<\/a><\/sup><span>&nbsp;In their joint statement, Obama and Sang acknowledge that labor rights are part of the broader human rights dialogue linked to TPP negotiations.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt57\" id=\"ftnt_ref57\">[57]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">August 7&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. and Vietnam launch the second phase of dioxin cleanup at &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng airport, supported by NGOs like the Aspen Institute&rsquo;s U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt58\" id=\"ftnt_ref58\">[58]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 1&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam&rsquo;s Internet Decree 72 takes effect, restricting online sharing of news and political content. It is criticized by U.S. officials and NGOs.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 2&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue is held in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, where U.S. officials raise concerns over political prisoners, internet freedom, and religious rights.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt59\" id=\"ftnt_ref59\">[59]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 2&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">President Tr&#432;&#417;ng T&#7845;n Sang meets U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman in H&agrave; N&#7897;i. Both sides reaffirm their commitment to accelerate TPP negotiations, with U.S. officials again stressing that labor reforms are essential for Vietnam&rsquo;s participation. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 16&mdash;<\/span><span>U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visits Vietnam and announces $17 million in aid to help Vietnam combat climate change and protect the Mekong Delta.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt60\" id=\"ftnt_ref60\">[60]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.wnu2la60cpwu\"><span class=\"c18 c7\">2014<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">January 27&mdash;<\/span><span>Human Rights Watch releases its World Report 2014, highlighting Vietnam&rsquo;s continued repression of bloggers, labor activists, and independent unions. This report is widely cited by U.S. officials and NGOs in bilateral dialogues.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt61\" id=\"ftnt_ref61\">[61]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c2\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">May 7&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. State Department issues a statement condemning China&rsquo;s placement of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig in disputed waters near the Paracels, calling it a &ldquo;provocative unilateral action.&rdquo; This crisis deepens U.S.&ndash;Vietnam security cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt62\" id=\"ftnt_ref62\">[62]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">May 13&ndash;15&mdash;<\/span><span>Large-scale anti-China protests erupt in Vietnam following the oil rig incident. Initially peaceful, they turn violent in industrial zones near H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City and central Vietnam, where hundreds of foreign-owned factories are attacked, many Taiwanese and some Chinese-managed. Reports note that long-standing labor grievances also fuel the riots.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt63\" id=\"ftnt_ref63\">[63]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">May 6&mdash;<\/span><span>The United States and Vietnam sign the U.S.-Vietnam Nuclear Export Agreement, a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation agreement, allowing U.S. firms to export nuclear technology and materials to Vietnam. This was first initiated by the two countries in December 2013. American Nuclear Society President Donald R. Hoffman praises the agreement, saying: &quot;This will allow for the U.S. to positively influence the safety and security aspects of our partner nations&#39; nuclear energy programs.&quot;<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt64\" id=\"ftnt_ref64\">[64]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">June 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, in a regional press call, urges both China and Vietnam to withdraw ships from the oil rig area and calls for restraint.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">June 17&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">At his Senate confirmation hearing, Ambassador-designate Ted Osius state that the U.S. should consider expanding Vietnam&rsquo;s maritime security capacity and possibly relaxing restrictions on arms sales. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">August 6&mdash;<\/span><span>Amnesty International issues a statement condemning Vietnam&rsquo;s continued imprisonment of labor and human rights activists, urging the U.S. to press H&agrave; N&#7897;i harder during TPP negotiations.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt65\" id=\"ftnt_ref65\">[65]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">December 5&mdash;<\/span><span>The 2014 Vietnam&ndash;U.S. Labor Dialogue opens in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, co-hosted by Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Deputy Undersecretary Mark Mittelhauser emphasizes that the dialogue is a step toward cooperative labor agreements linked to TPP.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt66\" id=\"ftnt_ref66\">[66]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.kqdiaemssi0h\"><span>2015<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 23&mdash;<\/span><span>U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Puneet Talwar delivers remarks at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, emphasizing deepening U.S.&ndash;Vietnam security and economic cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt67\" id=\"ftnt_ref67\">[67]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 30&mdash;<\/span><span>The The Defense POW\/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is formally established by merging the Joint POW\/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the Defense Prisoner of War\/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO). Its mission is to provide the &ldquo;fullest possible accounting&rdquo; of U.S. service members missing from past conflicts, with nearly 82,000 Americans still unaccounted for, including about 1,567 from the Vietnam War. DPAA conducts global recovery missions, forensic analysis, and repatriation ceremonies, working closely with foreign governments, veterans&rsquo; organizations, and academic partners.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt68\" id=\"ftnt_ref68\">[68]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 23&mdash;<\/span><span>U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i and meets Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n T&#7845;n D&#361;ng and Party Economic Commission head V&#432;&#417;ng &#272;&igrave;nh Hu&#7879;. Discussions focus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), with the U.S. pressing Vietnam on labor rights, state-owned enterprises, and intellectual property.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt69\" id=\"ftnt_ref69\">[69]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">April 29&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2015, H.R. 2114 is introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee with 26 co-sponsors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam and the United States mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Commemorations include NGO-organized events in both countries, with human rights and veterans&rsquo; groups highlighting reconciliation and ongoing issues such as Agent Orange and POW\/MIA recovery. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 1&ndash;2<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;&ldquo;The Power of Protest&rdquo; Conference takes place in Washington, D.C. on the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. This gathering brings together about 600 activists to honor the antiwar movement and discuss its legacy. It is organized by the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee (VPCC), a volunteer-run network of long-time antiwar activists formed in September 2014 in response to the Pentagon&rsquo;s 10-year Vietnam War commemoration program. The VPCC&rsquo;s mission is to ensure that the history of the U.S. war in Indochina is told truthfully, that the role of the antiwar movement is recognized, and that lessons are drawn to prevent future military interventions. The VPCC monitors Pentagon commemoration activities, challenges distortions, and organizes public events to highlight the peace movement&rsquo;s contributions.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 6&ndash;10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Nguy&#7877;n Ph&uacute; Tr&#7885;ng, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, visits Washington, D.C. This is the first-ever U.S. visit by a Vietnamese Communist Party chief. He meets President Obama at the White House on July 7, issuing a joint vision statement covering trade, security, and human rights. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span>In this joint vision statement, which reaffirms the 2013 Comprehensive Partnership,<\/span><span class=\"c20 c19 c13\">&nbsp;both sides pledge to respect each other&rsquo;s political systems and sovereignty while expanding dialogue across party, government, and people-to-people channels. They emphasize boosting trade and investment, with the TPP at the center, while the U.S. press Vietnam on labor rights, intellectual property, and state-owned enterprise reforms. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c13\">The statement highlights closer security and defense collaboration, particularly on maritime security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and reaffirms commitments to address war legacy issues such as Agent Orange, unexploded ordnance, and POW\/MIA recovery. It also encourages cooperation in science, education, healthcare, and climate change adaptation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3 c13\"><a href=\"#ftnt70\" id=\"ftnt_ref70\">[70]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 5&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The TPP negotiations conclude in Atlanta. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 4<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. and Vietnam hold their annual Human Rights Dialogue in Washington, D.C. U.S. officials raise concerns about restrictions on freedom of association, workers&rsquo; rights, and the harassment of independent labor activists.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt71\" id=\"ftnt_ref71\">[71]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 8-12<\/span><span>&mdash;The 7th Agent Orange Justice Tour, with VAVA President Nguy&#7877;n V&#259;n Rinh, Ms &#272;&agrave;o Th&#7883; Nguy&#7877;n, Mr. Ph&#7841;m Tr&#432;&#417;ng, Mr. Nguy&#7877;n Minh Y, Ms Tr&#7847;n Th&#7883; Hoan and Nguy&#7877;n Tr&#7885;ng Ph&uacute; (interpreter), visiting New York, Washington DC.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.5hqzn72q56k2\"><span>2016<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">February 4<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Twelve nations, including the U.S. and Vietnam, sign the TPP in New Zealand. For Vietnam, the TPP promises unprecedented access to U.S. markets for textiles, footwear, and seafood, while for Washington it is a chance to anchor Vietnam more firmly in a rules-based economic order. A side agreement, the U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Plan for the Enhancement of Trade and Labor Relations, requires Vietnam to reform its labor laws to allow independent unions outside the state-controlled Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, a groundbreaking shift in the one-party system.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt72\" id=\"ftnt_ref72\">[72]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">February 29&mdash;<\/span><span>The State Department releases its annual human rights report on Vietnam, which underscores persistent restrictions, including suppression of independent labor organizing, weak enforcement of labor laws, and poor working conditions. These findings reinforce congressional concerns about whether Vietnam could realistically meet its TPP labor obligations, and they become part of the debate over whether the U.S. should ratify the trade deal.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt73\" id=\"ftnt_ref73\">[73]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">March 1&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. Department of Agriculture assumes responsibility for inspecting catfish, including Vietnamese pangasius, tra, and basa, replacing the FDA&rsquo;s looser oversight. Vietnam sees this as a protectionist measure designed to shield U.S. catfish farmers, and the rule quickly becomes a flashpoint in bilateral trade relations, threatening one of Vietnam&rsquo;s most important export sectors.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt74\" id=\"ftnt_ref74\">[74]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">March 14&mdash;<\/span><span>Just two weeks later, Vietnam formally raises the catfish inspection issue at the WTO&rsquo;s Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee, arguing that the U.S. rule is discriminatory and inconsistent with international trade obligations. This move internationalizes the dispute and signals H&agrave; N&#7897;i&rsquo;s determination to defend its aquaculture industry.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt75\" id=\"ftnt_ref75\">[75]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">March 21&mdash;<\/span><span>Global Standards conduct an independent investigation into two major strikes that have broken out at Hansae Vietnam, a Nike supplier, in late 2015. Workers have protested excessive heat, forced overtime, and abusive management practices. The investigation confirms serious violations, and by mid-2016 Hansae and Nike pledge corrective actions, including better ventilation, reduced overtime, and management training. While not all worker demands are met, the strikes are partially successful in forcing international brands and the factory to acknowledge and address conditions. A study notes that over 5,000 strikes have occurred since the 1990s. While many strikes won incremental improvements (e.g., wage increases, better meals, reduced overtime), they rarely achieved systemic change. Still, they demonstrated workers&rsquo; ability to coordinate and sometimes forced multinational brands to intervene.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt76\" id=\"ftnt_ref76\">[76]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">April 27&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack travels to H&agrave; N&#7897;i to discuss the catfish dispute directly with Vietnamese officials. His visit underscores how a single commodity could strain broader trade ties, and it reflects Washington&rsquo;s desire to manage tensions while keeping Vietnam engaged on larger economic and strategic issues.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">May 23&mdash;<\/span><span>President Obama&rsquo;s three-day visit to Vietnam marks a historic milestone, as he announces the complete lifting of the U.S. lethal arms embargo, removing one of the last vestiges of wartime hostility. The visit also includes agreements to allow the Peace Corps to operate in Vietnam, expand Fulbright University Vietnam, and deepen economic cooperation, symbolizing a new era of partnership.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt77\" id=\"ftnt_ref77\">[77]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c15\"><span class=\"c7\">May 30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">On Memorial Day, Veterans For Peace organize the &ldquo;Letters to the Wall&rdquo; action at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., placing personal letters that challenge official narratives of the war and highlighte ongoing issues such as Agent Orange and unexploded ordnance. This grassroots initiative keep the human and environmental costs of the war visible in U.S. public discourse, complementing official diplomacy with people-to-people reconciliation.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">July 27<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee exposes distortions in the Pentagon&rsquo;s official commemoration, such as calling the My Lai massacre an &ldquo;incident.&rdquo; Their advocacy leads to media coverage in <\/span><span class=\"c33 c19 c22 c35\">The New York Times<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;and forces the Pentagon to revise its timeline.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt78\" id=\"ftnt_ref78\">[78]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">August 2<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;&mdash;President Obama highlights &ldquo;unprecedented labor reforms&rdquo; in Vietnam under the TPP, including recognition of worker organizations.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt79\" id=\"ftnt_ref79\">[79]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;While the reforms are not yet finalized, the statement reflects how central labor rights have become to the U.S. case for the TPP, and how Vietnam&rsquo;s commitments are being used to sell the deal domestically.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">August 8-9<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;International Scientific Conference &ldquo;Assessments of the Damages of Agent Orange\/Dioxin used by the United States during the War in Vietnam&rdquo;, Hanoi, Vietnam, with the participation of Vietnamese scientists and the Science Committee of VAORRC. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">September 27&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The International Labour Organization and U.S. Department of Labor conclude a multi-year project supporting Vietnam&rsquo;s efforts to align its labor code with international standards. The project&rsquo;s end coincides with debates over the TPP, highlighting Washington&rsquo;s investment in building Vietnam&rsquo;s capacity to implement labor reforms required by the trade agreement.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt80\" id=\"ftnt_ref80\">[80]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c2\">December 1&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Congressional researchers release an updated report on U.S. assistance for Agent Orange and dioxin remediation in Vietnam, noting cumulative funding for cleanup projects such as &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng airport and health programs for people with disabilities. The report also emphasizes the role of NGOs like the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA) and U.S. veterans&rsquo; groups in sustaining bilateral cooperation on war legacies.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.52ivsovrmfz3\"><span>2017<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">January 5&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017, H.R. 334 is introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee with 26 co-sponsors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 4&mdash;<\/span><span>VPCC coordinates more than 40 local events nationwide to commemorate the 50<\/span><span class=\"c3\">th<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.&rsquo;s &ldquo;Beyond Vietnam&rdquo; speech, which condemns the Vietnam War and links it to poverty and racism. These events highlight the moral dimension of antiwar activism.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 31&mdash;<\/span><span>Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n Xu&acirc;n Ph&uacute;c becomes the first Southeast Asian leader to visit the Trump White House, where he and Trump issue a joint statement reaffirming the Comprehensive Partnership. The meeting emphasizes trade and investment, with Vietnam pledging to buy U.S. goods and services, while also touching on security cooperation in the South China Sea. The visit reassures both sides that the relationship will continue to deepen despite the U.S. withdrawal from the TPP earlier that year.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt81\" id=\"ftnt_ref81\">[81]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 5&mdash;<\/span><span>A widely cited article explains why nearly all strikes in Vietnam are &ldquo;wildcat,&rdquo; occurring outside the legal framework and without official union approval. The piece argues that structural barriers in Vietnam&rsquo;s labor law made legal strikes nearly impossible, forcing workers to act spontaneously. This analysis underscores the gap between Vietnam&rsquo;s commitments to labor reform and the realities on the ground, where workers rely on direct action to secure concessions.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt82\" id=\"ftnt_ref82\">[82]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 20&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee organizes a vigil at the Pentagon to mark the anniversary of a major antiwar protest, linking past activism to present responsibilities. The event highlights humanitarian issues such as Agent Orange remediation and unexploded ordnance clearance, pressing the U.S. government to continue addressing the war&rsquo;s consequences in Vietnam. It reflects how non-state actors keep moral accountability central to bilateral relations.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">During the APEC summit in &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng, President Trump delivers a keynote speech to business leaders, emphasizing &ldquo;fair and reciprocal trade&rdquo; and signaling a shift away from multilateral deals like the TPP toward bilateral agreements. For Vietnam, the speech is a reminder of the changing U.S. trade approach, even as H&agrave; N&#7897;i seeks to maintain strong economic ties with Washington.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 11&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Trump joins other leaders at the APEC Economic Leaders&rsquo; Meeting, where discussions focus on regional growth and integration. Vietnam, as host, showcases its economic dynamism and its role as a bridge between the U.S. and Asia, reinforcing its importance in Washington&rsquo;s Asia policy despite the U.S. exit from the TPP.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 12&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">In H&agrave; N&#7897;i, Trump holds bilateral talks with President Tr&#7847;n &#272;&#7841;i Quang, advancing cooperation on trade, security, and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting produces agreements on commercial deals and reaffirms shared interests in maritime security, underscoring the strategic dimension of the partnership.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 18&mdash;<\/span><span>Multiple outlets report that the Trump administration has begun detaining pre-1995 Vietnamese immigrants with old deportation orders and ss pressing Vietnam to accept them, despite the 2008 U.S.&ndash;Vietnam repatriation agreement that has previously protected this group. This marks the start of a new enforcement push by ICE, with detentions extending for months or longer while the U.S. seeks travel documents from H&agrave; N&#7897;i.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt83\" id=\"ftnt_ref83\">[83]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.39l907qz9l85\"><span class=\"c18 c7\">2018<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">January 12<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam formally files a complaint at the WTO against the United States over anti-dumping duties on frozen fish fillets, particularly pangasius (basa, tra, swai). H&agrave; N&#7897;i argues that U.S. Department of Commerce practices violate WTO rules, continuing a dispute that has simmered since the early 2000s.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">February 22<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam requests WTO consultations over the U.S. Department of Agriculture&rsquo;s catfish inspection program, which is fully implemented in September 2017. Vietnam claims the program is discriminatory, lacks scientific justification, and functions as a non-tariff barrier that threatens the livelihoods of over a million Vietnamese workers.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">March 5<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrives in &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng for a five-day visit, carrying 5,000 sailors. The first visit by a U.S. carrier since the end of the Vietnam War, this is a major milestone in defense cooperation, signaling deepening security ties amid shared concerns over the South China Sea. The visit includes cultural exchanges, humanitarian projects, and professional military interactions.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">March 8<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam signs the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Santiago, Chile, alongside ten other nations. The deal preserves most of the original TPP&rsquo;s provisions despite the U.S. withdrawal, promising Vietnam expanded export opportunities and a framework for labor and regulatory reforms.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt84\" id=\"ftnt_ref84\">[84]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 16<\/span><span>&mdash;Veterans For Peace members join the official commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre in Qu&#7843;ng Ng&atilde;i Province. They deliver an &ldquo;Open Letter to the People of Viet Nam,&rdquo; acknowledging U.S. responsibility and pledging solidarity on issues such as Agent Orange and unexploded ordnance.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt85\" id=\"ftnt_ref85\">[85]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 19<\/span><span>&mdash;U.S. Senators John McCain and Jeanne Shaheen send a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative urging the termination of the USDA catfish inspection program. They argue it is duplicative, wasteful, and damaging to U.S. credibility at the WTO, especially given Vietnam&rsquo;s formal challenge.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt86\" id=\"ftnt_ref86\">[86]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 29<\/span><span>&mdash;The United States observes the first National Vietnam War Veterans Day, with commemorative partner organizations holding ceremonies nationwide. Advocacy groups such as the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief &amp; Responsibility Campaign use the occasion to highlight the ongoing health and environmental impacts of dioxin exposure.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt87\" id=\"ftnt_ref87\">[87]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 16&ndash;August 12<\/span><span>&mdash;The DukeEngage Vietnam program takes place in Qu&#7843;ng Tr&#7883; Province, organized with CET Academic Programs. U.S. students work with local youths to build a basketball court, teach English, and facilitate cross cultural exchanges, representing a grassroots educational and cultural bridge.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt88\" id=\"ftnt_ref88\">[88]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">August 16<\/span><span>&mdash;A detailed account of a wildcat strike at a Vietnamese shoe factory is published, illustrating how workers organize outside the official union framework to demand better pay and conditions. This reflects the persistence of labor unrest in Vietnam and the challenges of aligning labor practices with commitments under trade agreements, a recurring issue in U.S.&ndash;Vietnam trade dialogues.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt89\" id=\"ftnt_ref89\">[89]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 23<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Fulbright University Vietnam officially welcomes its first undergraduate cohort. This marks a milestone in U.S.&ndash;Vietnam educational cooperation, as FUV is developed with U.S. support and modeled on American liberal arts traditions, emphasizing critical thinking, civic engagement, and interdisciplinary learning.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c23\"><span class=\"c7\">September 25<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnamese President Tr&#7847;n &#272;&#7841;i Quang passes away, prompting condolences from U.S. leaders. The U.S. Embassy in H&agrave; N&#7897;i issues a statement honoring his contributions to bilateral relations, and his death leads to a leadership reshuffle in Vietnam that has implications for U.S. engagement.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">October 17<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. and Vietnam hold their 9th Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue in Washington, D.C. The talks cover maritime security, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, reflecting the broadening scope of defense cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt90\" id=\"ftnt_ref90\">[90]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c12\"><span class=\"c7\">November 12<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;President Donald Trump meets Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n Xu&acirc;n Ph&uacute;c on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore. They discuss trade imbalances, regional security, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming the Comprehensive Partnership.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.8ajmiu2d4sfa\"><span>2019<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">January 8&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2019, H.R. 326 is introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee with 20 co-sponsors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c2\">January 14&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">CPTPP enters into force for Vietnam, triggering phased tariff reductions, stronger rules on services, investment, and labor, and opening new markets across the Pacific. While the United States is not a member, the agreement&rsquo;s trade diversion and supply-chain shifts begin to subtly reshape U.S.&ndash;Vietnam dynamics by increasing Vietnam&rsquo;s competitiveness and potentially widening the U.S. bilateral deficit.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt91\" id=\"ftnt_ref91\">[91]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">February 27&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in H&agrave; N&#7897;i for the second Democratic People&rsquo;s Republic of Korea&ndash;U.S. Summit, with Vietnam hosting extensive logistics, security, media access, and public diplomacy events. The summit showcases Vietnam&rsquo;s role as a trusted U.S. partner in high-stakes diplomacy and amplifies bilateral engagement beyond trade and defense into global conflict mediation.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt92\" id=\"ftnt_ref92\">[92]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">February 28&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The DPRK&ndash;U.S. Summit concludes in H&agrave; N&#7897;i without agreement, yet the U.S.&ndash;Vietnam relationship benefits from visibility and coordination, with local cultural programming, press facilitation, and outreach underscoring Vietnam&rsquo;s capacity to partner with the United States on complex international events.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt93\" id=\"ftnt_ref93\">[93]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">April 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Congressional Research Service reports that total goods trade reached $58.86 billion in 2018, with Vietnam the 12th-largest source of U.S. imports and the U.S. the 3rd-largest partner for Vietnam. The annual report also flags likely friction areas: CPTPP effects, Vietnam&rsquo;s bid for market economy status, catfish inspections\/AD duties, arms sales, and the dormant BIT talks.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt94\" id=\"ftnt_ref94\">[94]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">April 20&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">USAID and Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of National Defense launch the Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a Air Base dioxin remediation&mdash;the largest Agent Orange cleanup project to date&mdash;expanding war-legacy cooperation and opening space for NGO and veteran group participation in health and community programs around affected sites.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt95\" id=\"ftnt_ref95\">[95]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">June 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Pacific Partnership 2019 begins its Vietnam mission in Ph&uacute; Y&ecirc;n, where U.S. Navy-led teams conduct engineering projects, disaster response training, medical exchanges, and cultural performances with Vietnamese partners, strengthening people-to-people ties and practical civil&ndash;military cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt96\" id=\"ftnt_ref96\">[96]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">June 14&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam ratifies ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining, advancing legal foundations for independent worker representation and aligning with commitments under CPTPP, a development closely watched in U.S. trade and labor dialogues given frequent wildcat strikes and the need for genuine collective bargaining.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt97\" id=\"ftnt_ref97\">[97]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">June 30&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The EU&ndash;Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement are signed in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, accelerating Vietnam&rsquo;s global integration. While these are not U.S. agreements, they intensify competitive pressures on U.S. firms, shift sourcing decisions, and may widen the existing U.S.&ndash;Vietnam trade imbalance.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt98\" id=\"ftnt_ref98\">[98]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 7&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Analyses spotlight Vietnam&rsquo;s evolving labor landscape, detailing how workers push for higher wages and better conditions amid ongoing wildcat strikes and limited official union responsiveness. These dynamics directly intersect with U.S. supply chains (garment\/footwear\/electronics) and the labor provisions referenced in U.S. dialogues on trade and responsible business conduct.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt99\" id=\"ftnt_ref99\">[99]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">October 23&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue convenes in Washington, D.C., covering maritime security, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and continued capacity building. The meeting sustains momentum from prior naval engagements and supports Vietnam&rsquo;s maritime awareness and interoperability efforts.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt100\" id=\"ftnt_ref100\">[100]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">November 20&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">Vietnam&rsquo;s National Assembly passes the revised Labor Code, enabling worker representative organizations outside the sole official union, strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms, and preparing for further ILO ratifications&mdash;key steps for compliance with CPTPP\/EVFTA that also respond to long-standing concerns discussed in U.S. trade and labor forums.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt101\" id=\"ftnt_ref101\">[101]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">December 2&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The U.S. Treasury places Vietnam on its currency &ldquo;Monitoring List,&rdquo; increasing scrutiny of external balances, foreign exchange practices, and macroeconomic policies. The designation signals potential investigations and adds pressure in bilateral economic talks already focused on deficits and market economy status.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt102\" id=\"ftnt_ref102\">[102]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">December 10&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">ActionAid Vietnam&rsquo;s 2019 report details NGO-led programs in gender-responsive budgeting, garment worker empowerment, and community services, illustrating non-state contributions that complement official bilateral efforts and influence labor conditions relevant to U.S. companies sourcing from Vietnam.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt103\" id=\"ftnt_ref103\">[103]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.scnl2lv91bpq\"><span>2020<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 23<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Health co-host a workshop in H&agrave; N&#7897;i on COVID-19 preparedness and surveillance. This is one of the earliest joint pandemic-related activities between the two countries. It builds on decades of U.S. health cooperation in Vietnam, particularly in HIV\/AIDS prevention and influenza surveillance. The workshop focuses on strengthening Vietnam&rsquo;s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks, which becomes crucial as COVID-19 spreads globally. This event highlights Vietnam&rsquo;s reputation as a proactive partner in global health security.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt104\" id=\"ftnt_ref104\">[104]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 5<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill arrive in &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng for a port call. This is only the second visit by a U.S. carrier since the end of the Vietnam War, symbolizing a remarkable transformation in bilateral defense ties. The visit includes cultural exchanges, professional military discussions, and community service projects. It underscores the two nations&rsquo; shared interest in maritime security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, a region of strategic importance.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt105\" id=\"ftnt_ref105\">[105]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 9<\/span><span>&mdash;The USS Theodore Roosevelt concludes its &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng visit. The symbolism of the visit lingers, as it demonstrates Vietnam&rsquo;s willingness to deepen defense cooperation with the U.S. while balancing its complex relationship with China. The event is widely covered in Vietnamese media as a milestone in reconciliation and trust-building.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt106\" id=\"ftnt_ref106\">[106]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 7<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam donates 250,000 antibacterial masks to the U.S. as part of its COVID-19 assistance. This act of solidarity is striking, given the history of conflict between the two nations. It also reflects Vietnam&rsquo;s growing role as a responsible global actor and its ability to leverage its manufacturing capacity to support international partners during the pandemic.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt107\" id=\"ftnt_ref107\">[107]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 24<\/span><span>&mdash;USAID and Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of National Defense announce progress in the Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a dioxin remediation project. Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a is the largest remaining dioxin &ldquo;hotspot&rdquo; in Vietnam, and cleanup there is expected to take a decade. This project, following earlier work at &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng airport, represents one of the most significant U.S.-funded war legacy initiatives.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt108\" id=\"ftnt_ref108\">[108]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 6<\/span><span>&mdash;Prime Minister Nguy&#7877;n Xu&acirc;n Ph&uacute;c holds a phone call with President Donald Trump to discuss bilateral cooperation on COVID-19 and trade. The leaders emphasize maintaining supply chains and supporting economic recovery. This conversation reflects how the pandemic shifts the agenda of U.S.&ndash;Vietnam relations toward health security and economic resilience.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt109\" id=\"ftnt_ref109\">[109]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 8<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam&rsquo;s National Assembly ratifies the EU&ndash;Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). While not directly involving the U.S., this agreement reshapes Vietnam&rsquo;s trade ecosystem by opening new markets and reducing reliance on the U.S. and China. For Washington, it underscores the competitive pressures of not being part of regional trade pacts like CPTPP.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt110\" id=\"ftnt_ref110\">[110]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 10<\/span><span>&mdash;The Peace Corps signs implementing agreements with Vietnam to begin English education programs, marking the first time the Peace Corps formally enters Vietnam. Volunteers are set to teach English in secondary schools, strengthening cultural and educational ties. The program symbolizes a new chapter in people-to-people diplomacy, moving beyond war legacies toward future-oriented cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt111\" id=\"ftnt_ref111\">[111]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">August 10<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam commemorates Agent Orange Day with nationwide activities organized by groups such as the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA). The day highlights the ongoing health and environmental impacts of dioxin exposure, with millions of Vietnamese still affected. It also showcases advocacy by nonprofits for greater U.S. responsibility in postwar remediation projects.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt112\" id=\"ftnt_ref112\">[112]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 2<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. Trade Representative launches a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam&rsquo;s currency practices, alleging undervaluation to gain unfair trade advantages. This investigation reflects rising U.S. concerns about the growing trade deficit with Vietnam. The move signals potential trade frictions at a time when Vietnam benefits from supply chain shifts away from China.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt113\" id=\"ftnt_ref113\">[113]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 15<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam signs the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world&rsquo;s largest trade agreement. While the U.S. is not a member, such agreements can indirectly affect U.S.&ndash;Vietnam trade by shifting regional supply chains.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt114\" id=\"ftnt_ref114\">[114]<\/a><\/sup><span>&nbsp;For Vietnam, RCEP reinforces its role as a hub in Asian trade networks, while for the U.S. it underscores the costs of being absent from regional trade frameworks.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt115\" id=\"ftnt_ref115\">[115]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 21<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The U.S. and Vietnam sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), creating a process for deporting people who come to the U.S. from Vietnam before July 12, 1995 (pre-1995 Vietnamese). The Trump administration continues to place renewed pressure on Vietnam to accept pre-1995 Vietnamese refugees for deportation.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 14<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam issues Decree 145\/2020 guiding the implementation of its revised 2019 Labor Code. This landmark labor development expands worker rights, allows the formation of independent worker organizations outside the state-run union, and adjusts retirement ages. For U.S. companies sourcing from Vietnam, this reform has major implications for compliance, supply chain governance, and labor relations. It also aligns with commitments Vietnam makes under trade agreements like CPTPP and EVFTA.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt116\" id=\"ftnt_ref116\">[116]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 16<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. Treasury officially labels Vietnam a currency manipulator, escalating economic tensions. This designation raises the possibility of tariffs and trade restrictions, with ripple effects on labor-intensive industries such as textiles and electronics.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt117\" id=\"ftnt_ref117\">[117]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 18<\/span><span>&mdash;The USTR proposes tariffs on Vietnamese goods in response to the currency manipulation findings. This move threatens to disrupt Vietnam&rsquo;s export-driven economy and has direct consequences for workers in key industries, highlighting the intersection of trade policy and labor relations.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt118\" id=\"ftnt_ref118\">[118]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 22<\/span><span>&mdash;The USTR releases findings in its Section 301 investigation into Vietnam&rsquo;s timber imports, concluding that much of the timber is illegally harvested. This raises compliance and labor-governance issues across supply chains, particularly in Vietnam&rsquo;s wood and furniture export industries, which employ hundreds of thousands of workers.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt119\" id=\"ftnt_ref119\">[119]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.owy8bzprk46g\"><span>2021 &nbsp;<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">January 15<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The U.S. Trade Representative announces it is not taking specific actions in connection with its Section 301 investigation into Vietnam&rsquo;s currency practices, despite Treasury&rsquo;s December 2020 designation of Vietnam as a manipulator. This pause under the new administration signals a recalibration of trade tensions.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt120\" id=\"ftnt_ref120\">[120]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">January 31<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam&rsquo;s Communist Party concludes its 13th National Congress, re-electing Nguy&#7877;n Ph&uacute; Tr&#7885;ng to an unprecedented third term as General Secretary. This outcome ensures continuity in Vietnam&rsquo;s domestic and foreign policy, including its approach to relations with the U.S.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt121\" id=\"ftnt_ref121\">[121]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">March 12<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;VietRISE and allied organizations announce that ICE has scheduled a deportation flight to Vietnam for March 15, 2021, with 33 Vietnamese refugees slated for removal. The announcement triggers immediate mobilization under the #GroundThePlane campaign.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt122\" id=\"ftnt_ref122\">[122]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">March 14<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;A protest takes place in Orange County&rsquo;s Little Saigon, California, organized by VietRISE, SEARAC, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Families, activists, and community members gather to demand cancellation of the deportation flight. The protest, held under the #GroundThePlane banner, highlights the injustice of deporting pre-1995 refugees who are supposed to be protected under the 2008 U.S.&ndash;Vietnam repatriation agreement.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">March 15<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;ICE carries out the deportation flight, removing 33 Vietnamese refugees, including some who arrive before 1995. This contradicts the spirit of the 2008 agreement and is condemned as retraumatizing war survivors who rebuild their lives in the U.S.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt123\" id=\"ftnt_ref123\">[123]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">March 16<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Advocacy groups including VietRISE, SEARAC, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice issue coordinated statements condemning the deportations as cruel, unjust, and a violation of U.S. commitments. They frame the deportations as part of broader anti-Asian violence.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt124\" id=\"ftnt_ref124\">[124]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">April 7<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;An op ed by Santa Ana City Councilmember Thai Viet Phan, written in collaboration with VietRISE, is published in the Los Angeles Times. It denounces the deportations, urges California leaders to support the VISION Act (AB 937), and argues that deporting refugees who already serve prison time is unjust and retraumatizing.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt125\" id=\"ftnt_ref125\">[125]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">May 25&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2021, H.R. 3518 is introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee with 15 co-sponsors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c2\">July 10<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam receives 2,000,040 doses of Moderna vaccine donated by the U.S. through COVAX. This is the first major U.S. vaccine shipment to Vietnam, marking a turning point in bilateral health cooperation during the pandemic.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt126\" id=\"ftnt_ref126\">[126]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 24&ndash;25<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam receives an additional 3,000,060 Moderna doses donated by the U.S. through COVAX, split between H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City (July 24) and H&agrave; N&#7897;i (July 25). These shipments reinforce U.S. commitment to supporting Vietnam&rsquo;s vaccination campaign.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt127\" id=\"ftnt_ref127\">[127]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 28<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i, meeting with senior Vietnamese officials. Discussions focus on maritime security, defense cooperation, and war legacy issues such as dioxin remediation and POW\/MIA accounting. This is the first visit to Vietnam by a Biden administration cabinet member.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt128\" id=\"ftnt_ref128\">[128]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">July 29&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">At Vietnam&rsquo;s request, the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI) is launched as a U.S. Department of Defense program designed to support Vietnam&rsquo;s own search for its war dead while reciprocating decades of Vietnamese cooperation in helping the U.S. locate its MIAs. Backed by an initial $1.3 million budget (2021&ndash;2025) and authorized under the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) for fiscal years 2022 (Section 1245) and 2023 (Sec. 1342), VWAI funds cooperative agreements with partners such as Texas Tech University&rsquo;s Vietnam Archive, Harvard University, USAID, and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Its goals include advancing reconciliation, strengthening bilateral defense ties in humanitarian areas, and enhancing archival and forensic capacity to locate and identify remains.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt129\" id=\"ftnt_ref129\">[129]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">August 10<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam marks Agent Orange Day with nationwide events organized by the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA). Activities highlight the ongoing suffering of victims and call for expanded international support, linking to U.S.&ndash;Vietnam cooperation on remediation.<\/span><sup class=\"c10 c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt130\" id=\"ftnt_ref130\">[130]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">August 24&ndash;25<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vice President Kamala Harris visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i, becoming the first sitting U.S. vice president to do so. She announces the opening of a CDC Regional Office in Vietnam, pledges additional vaccine support, and emphasizes cooperation on supply chains, maritime security, and economic recovery.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">September 22<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;State President Nguy&#7877;n Xu&acirc;n Ph&uacute;c delivers Vietnam&rsquo;s national statement at the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York. He arrives on September 20 and conducts bilateral meetings on September 21 with UN leaders and foreign counterparts before addressing the General Debate on September 22. His speech emphasizes multilateralism, pandemic recovery, and climate change, while his bilateral activities underscore Vietnam&rsquo;s growing diplomatic engagement with the U.S. and other partners.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c2\">November 1<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Prime Minister Ph&#7841;m Minh Ch&iacute;nh meets with U.S. President Joe Biden and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on the sidelines of the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow. The meetings focus on climate cooperation, energy transition, and U.S. support for Vietnam&rsquo;s green development strategy. On the same day, Chinh delivers Vietnam&rsquo;s national statement at the Leaders&rsquo; Summit, pledging stronger commitments to emissions reduction and sustainable growth.<\/span><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.13sdi2vye24d\"><span class=\"c18 c7\">2022<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 27<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Ambassador Marc Knapper arrives in H&agrave; N&#7897;i to begin his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">February 11<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Ambassador Knapper presents his credentials to State President Nguy&#7877;n Xu&acirc;n Ph&uacute;c, formally assuming his role. In his remarks, he emphasizes strengthening cooperation in health, education, security, and economic growth, while also addressing war legacy issues such as dioxin remediation.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 2<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. delivers 1.6 million Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses to H&#7891; Ch&iacute; Minh City, raising total U.S. vaccine donations to Vietnam to over 26 million doses. This shipment reinforces U.S. support for Vietnam&rsquo;s pandemic recovery and public health resilience.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt131\" id=\"ftnt_ref131\">[131]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 28<\/span><span>&mdash;President Joe Biden issues a Presidential Proclamation extending the commemorative period for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War through Veterans Day 2025. The proclamation honors the nearly 9 million Americans who serve, emphasizes the sacrifices of veterans and their families, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to remembering the war&rsquo;s legacy.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt132\" id=\"ftnt_ref132\">[132]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 11&ndash;17<\/span><span>&mdash;Prime Minister Ph&#7841;m Minh Ch&iacute;nh visits the U.S. to attend the ASEAN&ndash;U.S. Special Summit in Washington, D.C. and carries out a series of bilateral and multilateral activities. He meets President Biden, U.S. congressional leaders, and U.N. Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, delivers a policy speech at CSIS, and engages with U.S. businesses in Boston and San Francisco to promote trade, technology, and education cooperation. The visit elevates ASEAN&ndash;U.S. ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and deepens bilateral engagement.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt133\" id=\"ftnt_ref133\">[133]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 23<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam joins the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a U.S.-led initiative with 13 other partners. For Vietnam, IPEF offers opportunities to diversify supply chains, strengthen digital trade, and align with global clean economy standards.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt134\" id=\"ftnt_ref134\">[134]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 28<\/span><span>&mdash;USAID announces expanded clean energy cooperation with Vietnam, supporting renewable energy development and technical assistance for Vietnam&rsquo;s energy transition. This aligns with both countries&rsquo; climate goals and Vietnam&rsquo;s pledge at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt135\" id=\"ftnt_ref135\">[135]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 8<\/span><span>&mdash;Ministers from IPEF economies, including Vietnam, meet in Los Angeles to launch formal negotiations across IPEF&rsquo;s four pillars: trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. This marks a concrete step in shaping the future of U.S.&ndash;Vietnam economic cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt136\" id=\"ftnt_ref136\">[136]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 13<\/span><span>&mdash;USAID and Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of National Defense mark progress at the Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a dioxin cleanup project. Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a is the largest remaining dioxin hotspot in Vietnam, and the U.S. commits hundreds of millions of dollars to remediation, symbolizing reconciliation and humanitarian partnership.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt137\" id=\"ftnt_ref137\">[137]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 16<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam and the United States hold their 16th Labor Dialogue in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, the first since 2016. Officials discuss labor reforms, child and forced labor prevention, workforce development for the digital economy, diversity and inclusion, and workplace safety. The dialogue reaffirms labor as a central pillar of sustainable trade relations.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt138\" id=\"ftnt_ref138\">[138]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 15<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. Treasury&rsquo;s semiannual foreign exchange report notes Vietnam&rsquo;s ongoing engagement and monitoring, with Vietnam not designated a manipulator. This eases tensions while keeping currency practices under review.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt139\" id=\"ftnt_ref139\">[139]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 31<\/span><span>&mdash;By year&rsquo;s end, U.S.&ndash;Vietnam trade has reached record levels. U.S. imports from Vietnam total $127.5 billion, while U.S. exports to Vietnam reach $11.4 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $116.1 billion. Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Planning and Investment reports $27.72 billion in new FDI inflows, with the U.S. among the top 10 investors, particularly in high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy. These figures underscore Vietnam&rsquo;s role as a global manufacturing hub and the deepening interdependence of the two economies.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt140\" id=\"ftnt_ref140\">[140]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.512dazmwzd4c\"><span class=\"c18 c7\">2023<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">February 13<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. Department of State marks the 30th anniversary of the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo on Vietnam (1994&ndash;2023). Officials highlight how bilateral trade grows from virtually nothing in 1994 to more than $138 billion in 2022, underscoring the economic foundation of the relationship.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt141\" id=\"ftnt_ref141\">[141]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 14<\/span><span>&mdash;Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits H&agrave; N&#7897;i, meeting with General Secretary Nguy&#7877;n Ph&uacute; Tr&#7885;ng, Prime Minister Ph&#7841;m Minh Ch&iacute;nh, and Foreign Minister B&ugrave;i Thanh S&#417;n. The visit celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership and prepares the ground for the later elevation of ties. Discussions focus on trade, education, climate, and war legacy cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt142\" id=\"ftnt_ref142\">[142]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 4<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. and Vietnam sign an MOU on Semiconductor Supply Chains, Workforce, and Skill Development, part of the CHIPS and Science Act implementation. The agreement aims to strengthen Vietnam&rsquo;s role in global semiconductor supply chains and expand U.S. investment in high-tech manufacturing.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt143\" id=\"ftnt_ref143\">[143]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 5<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam participates in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) negotiations in Singapore, joining all four pillars: trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. This reinforces Vietnam&rsquo;s role as a key U.S. economic partner in Asia.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt144\" id=\"ftnt_ref144\">[144]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 25<\/span><span>&mdash;USAID and Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of National Defense announce the completion of the dioxin remediation project at &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng Airport, a decade-long, $110 million joint effort. This milestone is celebrated as a major achievement in addressing war legacies and building trust.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt145\" id=\"ftnt_ref145\">[145]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 10<\/span><span>&mdash;General Secretary Nguy&#7877;n Ph&uacute; Tr&#7885;ng and President Joe Biden meet in H&agrave; N&#7897;i and announce the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest tier in Vietnam&rsquo;s diplomatic framework. The joint statement launches new cooperation on semiconductors, critical minerals, innovation, education, climate, and war legacy issues.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt146\" id=\"ftnt_ref146\">[146]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 13<\/span><span>&mdash;The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) publishes &ldquo;U.S. Assistance to Vietnamese Families Impacted by Agent Orange&rdquo; and Special Report No. 522, documenting the needs of victims and recommending expanded nonmedical support. This is an example of the important role of nonprofits and research institutions in U.S.-Vietnam reconciliation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt147\" id=\"ftnt_ref147\">[147]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 2<\/span><span>&mdash;U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan makes a port call in &#272;&agrave; N&#7861;ng, underscoring growing defense cooperation and maritime security ties under the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt148\" id=\"ftnt_ref148\">[148]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 17<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam and the U.S. hold a senior defense policy dialogue in Washington, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Ho&agrave;ng Xu&acirc;n Chi&#7871;n and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner. The dialogue focuses on maritime security, defense industry cooperation, and war legacy issues.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt149\" id=\"ftnt_ref149\">[149]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 15<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam and the U.S. hold their annual Labor Dialogue online, led by MOLISA Deputy Minister L&ecirc; V&#259;n Th&agrave;nh and U.S. Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee. Discussions cover labor law reforms, child and forced labor prevention, disability care, and workforce development for inclusive, sustainable trade.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt150\" id=\"ftnt_ref150\">[150]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.bvezr1n6pcuk\"><span class=\"c7 c18\">2024<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 19&ndash;24<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. Department of State and Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Education and Training co-host workshops on STEM education and workforce development, with U.S. universities and tech companies participating. These programs are linked to semiconductor and digital economy cooperation, anticipating later CHIPS Act&ndash;funded initiatives.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt151\" id=\"ftnt_ref151\">[151]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 8<\/span><span>&mdash;Human Rights Watch urges the U.S. not to grant Vietnam &ldquo;market economy&rdquo; status, citing restrictions on independent unions and worker organizing. The statement coincides with the U.S. Department of Commerce&rsquo;s hearing on Vietnam&rsquo;s status, spotlighting labor rights concerns in trade policy.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt152\" id=\"ftnt_ref152\">[152]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 19<\/span><span>&mdash;General Secretary Nguy&#7877;n Ph&uacute; Tr&#7885;ng dies at age 80. His passing ends an era of consolidated party control and anti-corruption campaigns, setting up a contested succession. The transition culminates in the rise of T&ocirc; L&acirc;m as General Secretary, with implications for economic policy, foreign alignment, and defense cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt153\" id=\"ftnt_ref153\">[153]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">August 10<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam marks Agent Orange Day with nationwide events led by VAVA. U.S. nonprofits and veterans&rsquo; groups, including Veterans For Peace, amplify calls for sustained remediation and victim support, underscoring war-legacy cooperation as a pillar of bilateral ties.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt154\" id=\"ftnt_ref154\">[154]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">August 26<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Political, Security, and Defense Dialogue convenes in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, led by Under Secretary of State Bonnie D. Jenkins and co-chaired by former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs H&agrave; Kim Ng&#7885;c. Talks advance defense exchanges, maritime security, and strategic technology cooperation.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt155\" id=\"ftnt_ref155\">[155]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 11<\/span><span>&mdash;The United States announces $1 million in immediate relief to support Vietnam&rsquo;s recovery from Typhoon Yagi, underscoring humanitarian cooperation. On the same day, the two countries also mark the first anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by launching semiconductor workforce development and public policy workshops in H&agrave; N&#7897;i, funded by the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. These initiatives highlight the dual focus of the partnership: immediate humanitarian support and long-term strategic cooperation in critical technologies and supply chains.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt156\" id=\"ftnt_ref156\">[156]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 22<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Planning and Investment hosts a Vietnam&ndash;U.S. Semiconductor &amp; AI Cooperation Seminar in New York, attended by General Secretary T&ocirc; L&acirc;m. U.S. firms and Vietnamese officials discuss joint R&amp;D, workforce training, and investment promotion, underscoring semiconductors as a strategic pillar of the partnership.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt157\" id=\"ftnt_ref157\">[157]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 25<\/span><span>&mdash;President Joe Biden meets General Secretary T&ocirc; L&acirc;m on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. They reaffirm momentum in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, emphasizing cooperation in semiconductors, supply chains, education, clean energy, and defense.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt158\" id=\"ftnt_ref158\">[158]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 10<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. Institute of Peace hosts its annual Dialogue on War Legacies and Peace, bringing together officials and nonprofits from the U.S. and Vietnam to coordinate on dioxin cleanup, UXO clearance, and support for Agent Orange-impacted families.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt159\" id=\"ftnt_ref159\">[159]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">October 11&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2024, H.R. 9977 is introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee with 12 co-sponsors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">October 22<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam announces its National Semiconductor Development Strategy, aiming to become a global hub for assembly, packaging, and testing (APT). U.S. firms are identified as key partners in design, training, and advanced manufacturing, aligning with CHIPS Act-supported initiatives.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt160\" id=\"ftnt_ref160\">[160]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">November 20<\/span><span>&mdash;The U.S. delivers five T-6C training aircraft to Vietnam under a bilateral defense cooperation agreement, boosting pilot training and interoperability. This marks one of the most tangible defense transfers in the partnership.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt161\" id=\"ftnt_ref161\">[161]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 19<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam Defense Expo 2024 opens in H&agrave; N&#7897;i with U.S. Department of Defense participation. The expo highlights defense industry engagement, maritime capacity-building, and broader military-technical cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt162\" id=\"ftnt_ref162\">[162]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">December 31<\/span><span>&mdash;By year&rsquo;s end, U.S.&ndash;Vietnam trade and investment ties deepen further. Vietnam&rsquo;s electronics industry generates $126.5 billion in exports, with the U.S. as a top market. U.S. firms like Intel and Nvidia expand operations, supported by the CHIPS and Science Act, which positions Vietnam as a critical node in U.S.-led supply chain diversification.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt163\" id=\"ftnt_ref163\">[163]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><h1 class=\"c14\" id=\"h.i8l2c6a547se\"><span>2025<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January<\/span><span>&mdash;ICE begins detaining and deporting pre-1995 Vietnamese immigrants at higher numbers than in the past, breaking with the 2008 U.S.&ndash;Vietnam repatriation agreement. Nonprofits such as the Vietnamese American Organization and the Asian Law Caucus condemn the practice as &ldquo;inhumane.&rdquo;<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt164\" id=\"ftnt_ref164\">[164]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 7<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Dafna Rand leads the U.S. delegation at the 28th U.S.&ndash;Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue in H&agrave; N&#7897;i.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">January 22<\/span><span>&mdash;Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) issues a statement opposing Trump&rsquo;s early executive orders, warning they threaten the immigration status and civil rights of Asian Americans, including Vietnamese communities.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt165\" id=\"ftnt_ref165\">[165]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">February 7<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The Trump administration announces a 90-day suspension of USAID operations worldwide, including in Vietnam. This freeze immediately halts new project funding and fieldwork, putting on hold critical programs in HIV\/AIDS prevention, tuberculosis treatment, higher education partnerships, and the multi-year Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a dioxin cleanup project.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">February 14<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that the suspension is directly affecting USAID-funded projects in health, education, and war legacy remediation. Officials express concern that the freeze undermines bilateral trust at a time when the U.S. and Vietnam are deepening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">February 15<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The Foreign Ministry spokesperson states that the suspension is already disrupting Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a Airbase dioxin cleanup and UXO removal projects. These initiatives are central to reconciliation efforts, and their interruption raises fears of environmental and human health risks in affected communities.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 5<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam agrees to fast-track deportations of its nationals after the Trump administration threatens tariffs and visa sanctions. Meanwhile, DOGE announces that &ldquo;non-essential independent agencies&rdquo; will be reviewed for elimination, placing the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) on the initial list. USIP, created by Congress in 1984 as a federally funded but independent institute, has long served as a hub for conflict resolution, peacebuilding research, and reconciliation programs, including sustained work on Vietnam War legacies.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 17<\/span><span>&mdash;The USC Center for Health Journalism reports that Vietnamese immigrants face mental health struggles amid Trump&rsquo;s deportation wave, with fear, disorientation, and trauma spreading in communities.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt166\" id=\"ftnt_ref166\">[166]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">March 19<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;UNAIDS reports that U.S. funding cuts undermine HIV\/AIDS programs in Vietnam, with PrEP and ARV supplies projected to run out by the end of May. These programs, heavily supported by USAID, are vital in reducing infection rates and providing treatment access for vulnerable populations.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 10<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;USIP&rsquo;s Vietnam War Legacies and Reconciliation Initiative reports that its planned 50th anniversary events, meant to bring together U.S. and Vietnamese veterans and scholars, are at risk of cancellation due to budget freezes. The loss of these dialogues threatens to stall decades of progress in people-to-people diplomacy.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">April 25<\/span><span>&mdash;CNN interviews Vietnamese Americans about Trump&rsquo;s first 100 days of his second term. Some older refugees praise his anti-China stance, while younger voters criticize his immigration policies and deportations.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt167\" id=\"ftnt_ref167\">[167]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">April 28&mdash;<\/span><span class=\"c1\">The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2025, H.R. 3051 is introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib with 14 co-sponsors.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c1\"><\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c7\">April 30<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash; On the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War&rsquo;s end, Vietnam holds large reunification celebrations, while in the U.S. a range of commemorative events take place&mdash;some celebratory, some somber, and others focused on academic reflection. Days earlier, Trump has ordered U.S. diplomats in Vietnam to refrain from attending 50th anniversary reunification events.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 21&mdash;<\/span><span>The Trump Organization breaks ground on the Trump International H&#432;ng Y&ecirc;n project, a US$1.5 billion development outside H&agrave; N&#7897;i featuring three 18-hole golf courses, luxury resorts, high-end villas, and a modern urban complex. The nearly 1,000-hectare project is designed as both a tourism hub and residential community. Eric Trump attends the groundbreaking alongside Vietnamese officials. While golf is the flagship investment, the project also integrates eco-tourism and high-tech urban planning, positioning Vietnam as a key site for Trump-branded expansion in Asia. H&#432;ng Y&ecirc;n province, where the project takes place, is the hometown of VCP General Secretary T&ocirc; L&acirc;m.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt168\" id=\"ftnt_ref168\">[168]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 28<\/span><span>&mdash;News outlets report that the Trump administration detains former Vietnamese refugees who have lived in the U.S. for decades. &ldquo;We feel we got abandoned again,&rdquo; says one interviewee.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt169\" id=\"ftnt_ref169\">[169]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 30<\/span><span>&mdash;The Trump administration announces new restrictions on student and work visas, including pausing interviews and tightening F-1 rules. These changes directly affect 36,000+ Vietnamese students in the U.S., who contribute over $800 million annually to the U.S. economy.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt170\" id=\"ftnt_ref170\">[170]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">May 27&ndash;August<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;A visa interview freeze halts new F-1, M-1, and J-1 appointments, disrupting study plans for thousands of Vietnamese students.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 1<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;DOGE suspends new USIP grants, halting joint research on Agent Orange impacts, veterans&rsquo; dialogues, and youth exchange programs in Vietnam. These activities are central to USIP&rsquo;s mission of fostering reconciliation and mutual understanding between former adversaries.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">June 30<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The Vietnam NGO Resource Centre announces it will cease operations, citing the USAID freeze and loss of funding for TB and HIV\/AIDS projects. This closure symbolizes the cascading effect of the aid suspension on Vietnam&rsquo;s civil society and public health infrastructure.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 1<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;USAID is officially dissolved after 63 years of operation. In Vietnam, this means the termination of Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a dioxin remediation, HIV\/AIDS and TB prevention programs, and higher education and workforce initiatives, including STEM and digital economy cooperation. The closure marks the end of the largest U.S. development presence in the country.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 2<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Trump announces a new trade deal with Vietnam, imposing a 20% tariff on all Vietnamese exports and a 40% tariff on goods transshipped through Vietnam. U.S. goods can now enter Vietnam duty-free under the deal, while Vietnamese exports face steep tariffs.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c1\">Trump&rsquo;s new tariffs are expected to produce a sharp impact on Vietnam&rsquo;s labor market, particularly in textiles, footwear, furniture, and electronics, which employ millions of workers. Factories are forced to cut shifts, freeze hiring, or lay off staff. Wages are under pressure, and migrant workers in industrial zones are among the most vulnerable. <\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span>Analysts warn that while Vietnam is trying to pivot toward high&#8209;tech sectors like semiconductors, the short&#8209;term effect is widespread disruption in labor&#8209;intensive industries that had powered Vietnam&rsquo;s export boom.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt171\" id=\"ftnt_ref171\">[171]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 21<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;USIP&rsquo;s headquarters in Washington, D.C. is formally closed after DOGE seizes control of its operations. Staff are dismissed, and ongoing projects abroad&mdash;including in Vietnam&mdash;are terminated. For Vietnam, this means the abrupt end of U.S.-backed reconciliation programs, veterans&rsquo; exchanges, and scholarly dialogues that have been a cornerstone of bilateral healing since the 1990s. Analysts warn that the shutdown of USIP weakens U.S. soft power, leaving a vacuum in reconciliation and conflict mediation work in Southeast Asia. Without USIP, Vietnam loses a trusted platform for addressing war legacies outside of formal government channels.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">July 25&mdash;<\/span><span>A U.S.&ndash;Vietnam team returns possible remains of missing U.S. service members from the Vietnam War during a repatriation ceremony in Da Nang Province. The remains are transported to Joint Base Pearl Harbor&ndash;Hickam, Hawaii, where forensic experts conduct DNA and anthropological analysis to confirm identities. This mission highlights the continued success of joint recovery operations under DPAA and the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI).<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt172\" id=\"ftnt_ref172\">[172]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 2<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;The U.S. removes interview waivers for F-1, H-1B, and B-1\/B-2 visas, while DHS introduces a new F-1 framework with stricter rules. This affects both students and Vietnamese professionals on work visas.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">September 4&mdash;<\/span><span>The U.S. Department of Defense issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI), offering up to $2 million in program funding to support cooperative projects between American institutions and Vietnamese counterparts. Individual awards ranged from $284,000&ndash;$550,000, with eligible partners including Texas Tech University&rsquo;s Vietnam Center &amp; Archive, Mission POW\/MIA, and the U.S.&ndash;ASEAN Business Council Institute. The grants were designed to advance archival research, forensic analysis, and capacity-building programs aimed at locating and identifying missing personnel from the Vietnam War.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt173\" id=\"ftnt_ref173\">[173]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 26<\/span><span class=\"c1\">&mdash;Vietnam and the U.S. release a Joint Statement on a framework for negotiating a Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade Agreement that will deepen economic ties, expand market access, and reduce trade barriers between the two countries. The framework emphasizes transparency, fair competition, and sustainable growth, while also highlighting cooperation on supply chain resilience, digital trade, and environmentally responsible practices. The Joint Statement notes that the U.S. will maintain the 20% reciprocal tariffs set forth in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, on originating goods of Vietnam, while Vietnamese companies agree to purchase over $2.9 billion worth of U.S. agricultural commodities, and Vietnam Airlines will purchase 50 Boeing aircraft with a total worth of over $8 billion.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span>Both governments underscore that this effort is not only about economic benefits but also about strengthening their broader strategic partnership in support of regional stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt174\" id=\"ftnt_ref174\">[174]<\/a><\/sup><span>&nbsp;This agreement is part of Trump&rsquo;s second term&rsquo;s protectionist policies.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt175\" id=\"ftnt_ref175\">[175]<\/a><\/sup><span class=\"c1\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c8\"><span class=\"c7\">October 31<\/span><span>&mdash;Vietnam and the U.S. sign a Memorandum of Understanding on War Legacy Cooperation in H&agrave; N&#7897;i. Drawing on the 2024 Vietnam&mdash;US Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation and updating the 2011 MoU between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense (which was revised in 2022), this MOU strengthen collaboration in 5 key areas: clearing unexploded ordance, improving the quality of life for people with disabilities in provinces heavily affected by Agent Orange, remediating dioxin contamination at Bi&ecirc;n H&ograve;a Airport, supporting the search, recovery, and identification of Vietnamese soldiers&rsquo; remains, and delivering comprehensive cooperation in locating American MIAs in Vietnam.<\/span><sup class=\"c3\"><a href=\"#ftnt176\" id=\"ftnt_ref176\">[176]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><p class=\"c8 c6\"><span class=\"c2\"><\/span><\/p><hr class=\"c16\"><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref1\" id=\"ftnt1\">[1]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-10-442;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498457933&amp;usg=AOvVaw1yLC9Y2qoe3HKi_xDKalTp\">https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-10-442;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/topn\/vietnam_education_foundation_act_of_2000&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498458103&amp;usg=AOvVaw2CE9E_ZGdg5O9czGVxjFtB\">https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/topn\/vietnam_education_foundation_act_of_2000<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">)<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref2\" id=\"ftnt2\">[2]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/the-u-s-vietnam-bilateral-trade-agreement-bta-resources-for-understanding\/<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref3\" id=\"ftnt3\">[3]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/1997-2001.state.gov\/regions\/eap\/fs-vietnam_trade_990617.html<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref4\" id=\"ftnt4\">[4]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/ustr.gov\/archive\/assets\/Document_Library\/Reports_Publications\/2003\/2003_NTE_Report\/asset_upload_file187_6233.pdf.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref5\" id=\"ftnt5\">[5]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.everycrsreport.com\/files\/20030618_RL31470_f04279b3c74374218f0c94e6931bef6e69bb2b82.pdf&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498458897&amp;usg=AOvVaw3OHJd_6jIYbm2GuM0bzfOO\">https:\/\/www.everycrsreport.com\/files\/20030618_RL31470_f04279b3c74374218f0c94e6931bef6e69bb2b82.pdf<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">..<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref6\" id=\"ftnt6\">[6]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/news\/2003\/07\/statement-vns-foreign-ministry-spokesman-smith-amendment<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref7\" id=\"ftnt7\">[7]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/RL\/PDF\/RL31470\/RL31470.3.pdf.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref8\" id=\"ftnt8\">[8]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/2021-2025.state.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/13128-Vietnam-Scientific-and-Technological-Cooperation-Misc-Agreement-11.17.2000.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref9\" id=\"ftnt9\">[9]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.everycrsreport.com\/files\/20030319_IB98033_5a76727a92765d47a1de23fab0e8d78efb157d25.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref10\" id=\"ftnt10\">[10]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/vnhrnet.org\/website\/AFP2_72104.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref11\" id=\"ftnt11\">[11]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.everycrsreport.com\/files\/20050510_IB98033_93d2c39a3d3e517a30ef0bc934854eb3cbb2876c.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref12\" id=\"ftnt12\">[12]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/apps.dtic.mil\/sti\/tr\/pdf\/ADA627433.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref13\" id=\"ftnt13\">[13]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.everycrsreport.com\/reports\/RL33452.html<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref14\" id=\"ftnt14\">[14]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/ustr.gov\/archive\/assets\/Document_Library\/Fact_Sheets\/2006\/asset_upload_file521_9445.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref15\" id=\"ftnt15\">[15]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/relations\/vietnam-us-agreed-extend-lou-labor-cooperation-press-release<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref16\" id=\"ftnt16\">[16]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov\/news\/releases\/2006\/12\/20061229-7.html<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref17\" id=\"ftnt17\">[17]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.state.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/07-715-Vietnam-Maritime.pdf.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref18\" id=\"ftnt18\">[18]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/R\/PDF\/R44268\/R44268.12.pdf&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498460148&amp;usg=AOvVaw0UBqKAva52QWNCP5mY5vuk\">https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/R\/PDF\/R44268\/R44268.12.pdf<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">, 4.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref19\" id=\"ftnt19\">[19]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/cdn.craft.cloud\/5cd1c590-65ba-4ad2-a52c-b55e67f8f04b\/assets\/media\/Vietnamese_Repatriation_MOU.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref20\" id=\"ftnt20\">[20]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/110\/plaws\/publ181\/PLAW-110publ181.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref21\" id=\"ftnt21\">[21]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/CHRG-110hhrg42425\/pdf\/CHRG-110hhrg42425.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref22\" id=\"ftnt22\">[22]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Human Rights Watch, &ldquo;Vietnam: Stop Muzzling the Messengers,&rdquo; January 8, 2009.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref23\" id=\"ftnt23\">[23]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Seth Mydans, &ldquo;Lion of War Retakes Field in Mine Fight, International Herald Tribune, June 29, 2009<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref24\" id=\"ftnt24\">[24]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;State Department Press Release, &ldquo;Joint Statement on U.S.-Vietnam Political, Security and Defense Dialogue,&rdquo; June 8, 2009.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref25\" id=\"ftnt25\">[25]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.seafoodsource.com\/news\/supply-trade\/u-s-tariffs-on-vietnamese-pangasius-upheld<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref26\" id=\"ftnt26\">[26]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;State Department Press Release, &ldquo;Joint Press Statement of the U.S.-Lower Mekong Ministerial Meeting,&rdquo; July 23,<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c9\">2009.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref27\" id=\"ftnt27\">[27]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/111th-congress\/house-resolution\/672<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref28\" id=\"ftnt28\">[28]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;State Department Press Release, &ldquo;The U.S.-Vietnam Economic Relationship,&rdquo; Remarks by Under Secretary for<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4\"><span class=\"c9\">Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert D. Hormats at the Foreign Trade University H&agrave; N&#7897;i, Vietnam, April 12, 2010.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref29\" id=\"ftnt29\">[29]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/r\/pa\/prs\/ps\/2010\/06\/142906.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref30\" id=\"ftnt30\">[30]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S.-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange\/Dioxin, &ldquo;Declaration and Plan of Action: Addressing the Legacy of Agent Orange in Vietnam,&rdquo; Aspen Institute, June 2010.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref31\" id=\"ftnt31\">[31]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/secretary\/20092013clinton\/rm\/2010\/07\/145095.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref32\" id=\"ftnt32\">[32]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;(Note: Government data shows that minimum wages were raised repeatedly during this period (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011), largely in response to strike pressure.) Source: Reuters, Mar 28, 2011.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref33\" id=\"ftnt33\">[33]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/en.baochinhphu.vn\/vn-china-joint-press-release-11110145.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref34\" id=\"ftnt34\">[34]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S. State Department Press Release, July 22, 2011. https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/secretary\/20092013clinton\/rm\/2011\/07\/168989.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref35\" id=\"ftnt35\">[35]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/amrcentre.org\/the-vietnam-strike-wave\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498462690&amp;usg=AOvVaw0q85VWt_mN-2tNX9Y01Afs\">https:\/\/amrcentre.org\/the-vietnam-strike-wave\/<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">. https:\/\/vietnamlawmagazine.vn\/vietnam-minimum-wage-reform-towards-a-law-3930.html<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref36\" id=\"ftnt36\">[36]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.geg.ox.ac.uk\/news\/vietnam-first-arrival-tpp<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref37\" id=\"ftnt37\">[37]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;WTO Panel Report, United States&mdash;Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp from Viet Nam (DS429), announced Nov 17, 2011.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref38\" id=\"ftnt38\">[38]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CRS Report 2012, p. 9.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref39\" id=\"ftnt39\">[39]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CRS Report 2012, p. 30.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref40\" id=\"ftnt40\">[40]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing Record]https:\/\/www.foreign.senate.gov\/hearings\/maritime-disputes-in-east-asia-062712).<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref41\" id=\"ftnt41\">[41]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/secretary\/20092013clinton\/rm\/2012\/07\/194987.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref42\" id=\"ftnt42\">[42]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/News-Stories\/Article\/2251040\/uss-george-washington-visits-vietnam\/<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref43\" id=\"ftnt43\">[43]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/r\/pa\/prs\/ps\/2012\/09\/197726.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref44\" id=\"ftnt44\">[44]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CRS Report 2012, p. 30.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref45\" id=\"ftnt45\">[45]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-20960206) (NGO\/activist-related; CRS notes intensified suppression in early 2013, pp. 13&ndash;14. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref46\" id=\"ftnt46\">[46]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.foreign.senate.gov\/hearings\/maritime-disputes-and-sovereignty-issues-in-east-asia). &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref47\" id=\"ftnt47\">[47]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;[Vietnam Embassy in U.S.&mdash;TPP Workshop, Mar 26, 2013]https:\/\/ww3.vietnamembassy-usa.org\/news\/2013\/03\/tpp-opens-vietnams-global-economic-integration)<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref48\" id=\"ftnt48\">[48]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about-us\/policy-offices\/press-office\/blog\/2013\/april\/working-vietnam-advance-tpp).<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref49\" id=\"ftnt49\">[49]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S. Embassy H&agrave; N&#7897;i]https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/assistant-secretary-yun-visit-april-2013\/). &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref50\" id=\"ftnt50\">[50]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/113th-congress\/house-bill\/1897\/text<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref51\" id=\"ftnt51\">[51]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/113th-congress\/senate-bill\/929<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref52\" id=\"ftnt52\">[52]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/BILLS-113hres218ih\/pdf\/BILLS-113hres218ih.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref53\" id=\"ftnt53\">[53]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.wipo.int\/wipolex\/en\/legislation\/details\/19110<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref54\" id=\"ftnt54\">[54]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;House Hearing Record]https:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\/hearing\/continuing-repression-vietnamese-government). &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref55\" id=\"ftnt55\">[55]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/113th-congress\/senate-resolution\/167<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref56\" id=\"ftnt56\">[56]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/the-press-office\/2013\/07\/25\/remarks-president-obama-and-president-truong-tan-sang-vietnam-joint-press-. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref57\" id=\"ftnt57\">[57]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;White House Joint Statement, July 25, 2013]https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/the-press-office\/2013\/07\/25\/joint-statement-president-barack-obama-united-states-america-and-preside<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref58\" id=\"ftnt58\">[58]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;USAID Press Release https:\/\/2012-2017.usaid.gov\/vietnam\/press-releases\/aug-7-2013-usaid-and-vietnamese-government-launch-second-phase-dioxin. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref59\" id=\"ftnt59\">[59]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/r\/pa\/prs\/ps\/2013\/10\/215088.htm. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref60\" id=\"ftnt60\">[60]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S. Department of State. https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/secretary\/remarks\/2013\/12\/218868.htm. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref61\" id=\"ftnt61\">[61]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Human Rights Watch]https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/world-report\/2014\/country-chapters\/vietnam.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref62\" id=\"ftnt62\">[62]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CRS Report 2014, p. 1.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref63\" id=\"ftnt63\">[63]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Wall Street Journal, June 17, 2014. https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/behind-vietnams-anti-china-riots-a-tinderbox-of-wider-grievances-1403049345.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"c4 c6\"><span class=\"c9\"><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref64\" id=\"ftnt64\">[64]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/R\/PDF\/R43433\/R43433.14.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref65\" id=\"ftnt65\">[65]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Amnesty International. https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/en\/latest\/news\/2014\/08\/vietnam-must-end-crackdown-human-rights\/<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref66\" id=\"ftnt66\">[66]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/vovworld.vn\/en-US\/news\/2014-vietnam-us-labor-dialogue-opens-in-H&agrave; N&#7897;i-292046.vov<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref67\" id=\"ftnt67\">[67]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S. State Department. https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/t\/pm\/rls\/rm\/2015\/236213.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref68\" id=\"ftnt68\">[68]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.dpaa.mil\/About\/History\/<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref69\" id=\"ftnt69\">[69]<\/a><span class=\"c34\">&nbsp;VietNamNet, Apr 23, 2015. https:\/\/vietnamnet.vn\/en\/vietnam-hopes-for-early-conclusion-of-tpp-talks-with-us-E127333.html)<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref70\" id=\"ftnt70\">[70]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;White House, July 7, 2015. https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/the-press-office\/2015\/07\/07\/remarks-president-obama-and-general-secretary-nguyen-phu-trong-vietnam.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref71\" id=\"ftnt71\">[71]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S. State Department, Dec 2015. https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/r\/pa\/prs\/ps\/2015\/12\/250049.htm<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref72\" id=\"ftnt72\">[72]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/ustr.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/TPP-Final-Text-Labour-US-VN-Plan-for-Enhancement-of-Trade-and-Labor-Relations.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref73\" id=\"ftnt73\">[73]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.state.gov\/reports\/2016-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices\/vietnam<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref74\" id=\"ftnt74\">[74]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CRS 2016 Report, 13, 15<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref75\" id=\"ftnt75\">[75]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/docs.wto.org\/dol2fe\/Pages\/SS\/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:\/G\/SPS\/GEN1485.pdf&amp;Open=True<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref76\" id=\"ftnt76\">[76]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/00472336.2015.1110708<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref77\" id=\"ftnt77\">[77]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/the-press-office\/2016\/05\/23\/fact-sheet-united-states-vietnam-relations<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref78\" id=\"ftnt78\">[78]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/07\/27\/us\/politics\/vietnam-50th-anniversary-pentagon-timeline.html<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref79\" id=\"ftnt79\">[79]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.politifact.com\/factchecks\/2016\/aug\/04\/barack-obama\/barack-obama-jumps-gun-discussing-tpp-and-vietname\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498467368&amp;usg=AOvVaw1l0Y75uLoBrClhkht3gPMQ\">https:\/\/www.politifact.com\/factchecks\/2016\/aug\/04\/barack-obama\/barack-obama-jumps-gun-discussing-tpp-and-vietname\/<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref80\" id=\"ftnt80\">[80]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;This report can be found here https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/publications\/viet-nam-labour-law-implementation-project-mid-term-evaluation-summary.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref81\" id=\"ftnt81\">[81]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/DCPD-201700366\/pdf\/DCPD-201700366.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref82\" id=\"ftnt82\">[82]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/column.global-labour-university.org\/2017\/10\/why-always-wildcat-strikes-in-vietnam.html&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498467890&amp;usg=AOvVaw3KBiNxwjmiy9c8TqFy8nhK\">http:\/\/column.global-labour-university.org\/2017\/10\/why-always-wildcat-strikes-in-vietnam.html<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref83\" id=\"ftnt83\">[83]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;NBC News, Dec. 18, 2017 &ndash; &ldquo;Trump administration targets Vietnamese immigrants for deportation&rdquo; https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/asian-america\/trump-administration-targets-vietnamese-immigrants-deportation-n829341<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref84\" id=\"ftnt84\">[84]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c30 c19\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mofa.gov.vn\/en\/nr040807104143\/nr040807105001\/ns180309094328;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498468247&amp;usg=AOvVaw2QF9Ud8eFal03TiMoQJCqU\">https:\/\/www.mofa.gov.vn\/en\/nr040807104143\/nr040807105001\/ns180309094328<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref85\" id=\"ftnt85\">[85]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c19 c30\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.veteransforpeace.org\/take-action\/open-letter-people-viet-nam&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498468434&amp;usg=AOvVaw33xAVVGc4f0fk34QDsEB9s\">https:\/\/www.veteransforpeace.org\/take-action\/open-letter-people-viet-nam<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">).<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref86\" id=\"ftnt86\">[86]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c30 c19\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/document\/375139160\/McCain-Shaheen-Letter-on-Catfish;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498468642&amp;usg=AOvVaw0TTNJx2_BDZ84TUI81DzbC\">https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/document\/375139160\/McCain-Shaheen-Letter-on-Catfish<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref87\" id=\"ftnt87\">[87]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c30 c19\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.vietnamwar50th.com\/about\/national_vietnam_war_veterans_day\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498468818&amp;usg=AOvVaw2bE1vETU8YY6CUU-GJIUt6\">https:\/\/www.vietnamwar50th.com\/about\/national_vietnam_war_veterans_day\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref88\" id=\"ftnt88\">[88]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/dukeengage.duke.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Vietnam-2018-final-withlaptop.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref89\" id=\"ftnt89\">[89]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c30 c19\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/notesfrombelow.org\/article\/no-union-no-problem&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498469053&amp;usg=AOvVaw1fe8CTCV9TUQc0oXcsXG5d\">https:\/\/notesfrombelow.org\/article\/no-union-no-problem<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref90\" id=\"ftnt90\">[90]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c30 c19\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.state.gov\/u-s-vietnam-political-security-and-defense-dialogue\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498469210&amp;usg=AOvVaw3JZZTg9wtuWJP8CRWlDjHM\">https:\/\/www.state.gov\/u-s-vietnam-political-security-and-defense-dialogue\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref91\" id=\"ftnt91\">[91]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mofa.gov.vn\/en\/nr040807104143\/nr040807105001\/ns190114145658;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498469400&amp;usg=AOvVaw0CXf9Hw4f0pHq66ThvVeO6\">https:\/\/www.mofa.gov.vn\/en\/nr040807104143\/nr040807105001\/ns190114145658;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref92\" id=\"ftnt92\">[92]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/vietnam-us-relations\/timeline;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498469555&amp;usg=AOvVaw31aS5A64EB4oAWycS6ARd-\">https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/vietnam-us-relations\/timeline;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref93\" id=\"ftnt93\">[93]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations\/;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498469723&amp;usg=AOvVaw3K_h5e9av2Ck0ZQWBi7T0v\">https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations\/;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref94\" id=\"ftnt94\">[94]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/IF\/PDF\/IF11107\/IF11107.6.pdf;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498469887&amp;usg=AOvVaw3TdtZFVyCVNP7CxzreOZ54\">https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/IF\/PDF\/IF11107\/IF11107.6.pdf;<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref95\" id=\"ftnt95\">[95]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;USAID, <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam\/press-releases\/apr-20-2019-usaid-and-ministry-national-defense-launch-bien-hoa-air-base;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498470111&amp;usg=AOvVaw16lKc6nEySpjX651FOGadV\">https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam\/press-releases\/apr-20-2019-usaid-and-ministry-national-defense-launch-bien-hoa-air-base<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref96\" id=\"ftnt96\">[96]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/News-Stories\/Article\/2234028\/pacific-partnership-2019-concludes-vietnam-mission\/;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498470326&amp;usg=AOvVaw33SAsEZGrPaRHEIHOhvYXn\">https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/News-Stories\/Article\/2234028\/pacific-partnership-2019-concludes-vietnam-mission\/<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref97\" id=\"ftnt97\">[97]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/global\/about-the-ilo\/newsroom\/news\/WCMS_710272\/lang--en\/index.htm;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498470517&amp;usg=AOvVaw3AqDoviv19ELuwNDMDNdX3\">https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/global\/about-the-ilo\/newsroom\/news\/WCMS_710272\/lang&#8211;en\/index.htm;<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref98\" id=\"ftnt98\">[98]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/IP_19_6748;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498470659&amp;usg=AOvVaw3v9YARS4UUA2Opo34lQ72p\">https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/IP_19_6748<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref99\" id=\"ftnt99\">[99]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/jacobin.com\/2019\/07\/vietnam-workers-rights-international-labour-organisation;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498470843&amp;usg=AOvVaw2oPbNzvaou8fTIkW5xetko\">https:\/\/jacobin.com\/2019\/07\/vietnam-workers-rights-international-labour-organisation<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref100\" id=\"ftnt100\">[100]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.state.gov\/u-s-vietnam-political-security-and-defense-dialogue\/;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498471007&amp;usg=AOvVaw20hFy0tewC_sk6sjU5XuBG\">https:\/\/www.state.gov\/u-s-vietnam-political-security-and-defense-dialogue\/<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref101\" id=\"ftnt101\">[101]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/quochoi.vn\/;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498471114&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OrEolPTCYYoTDiyaloC9e\">https:\/\/quochoi.vn\/;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/pdf\/48600701.pdf;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498471217&amp;usg=AOvVaw2uguHKiGggNT8Bg_Z2W78p\">https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/pdf\/48600701.pdf<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref102\" id=\"ftnt102\">[102]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/sm852;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498471346&amp;usg=AOvVaw235wiGYvIAx2Zwv166f1fM\">https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/sm852<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref103\" id=\"ftnt103\">[103]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnam.actionaid.org\/sites\/vietnam\/files\/publications\/actionannualreport2019EN.pdf;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498471542&amp;usg=AOvVaw3IIJ5QFQwLUtibAyKoHQWp\">https:\/\/vietnam.actionaid.org\/sites\/vietnam\/files\/publications\/actionannualreport2019EN.pdf<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref104\" id=\"ftnt104\">[104]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/cdc-and-vietnam-moh-co-host-covid-19-preparedness-workshop\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498471796&amp;usg=AOvVaw35WPiDvaYiiihW4Z4l4G6Y\">https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/cdc-and-vietnam-moh-co-host-covid-19-preparedness-workshop\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref105\" id=\"ftnt105\">[105]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/fact-sheet-u-s-carrier-visit-to-vietnam\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498471964&amp;usg=AOvVaw1A7S8Yu2_1uyOW4jLiq5FX\">https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/fact-sheet-u-s-carrier-visit-to-vietnam\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref106\" id=\"ftnt106\">[106]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/vietnam-us-relations\/timeline&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498472105&amp;usg=AOvVaw2V1bpuQmZyac0f5z92A1Bg\">https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/vietnam-us-relations\/timeline<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref107\" id=\"ftnt107\">[107]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/vietnam-donates-250000-antibacterial-masks-to-the-u-s\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498472271&amp;usg=AOvVaw2d9ekZp_7iZMQOudsB9KIb\">https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/vietnam-donates-250000-antibacterial-masks-to-the-u-s\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref108\" id=\"ftnt108\">[108]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam\/press-releases\/apr-24-2020-progress-dioxin-remediation-bien-hoa-air-base&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498472476&amp;usg=AOvVaw3pMDAm0KoslgPjBqcQwTb6\">https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam\/press-releases\/apr-24-2020-progress-dioxin-remediation-bien-hoa-air-base<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref109\" id=\"ftnt109\">[109]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/vietnam-us-relations\/timeline&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498472617&amp;usg=AOvVaw0whsXIallq4kr-KM1Ijr0n\">https:\/\/vietnamembassy-usa.org\/vietnam-us-relations\/timeline<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref110\" id=\"ftnt110\">[110]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/news\/en\/press-room\/20200206IPR72011\/evfta-parliament-approves-first-ever-eu-trade-agreement-with-vietnam&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498472855&amp;usg=AOvVaw38rAn8kG5GvQr6weYhybCp\">https:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/news\/en\/press-room\/20200206IPR72011\/evfta-parliament-approves-first-ever-eu-trade-agreement-with-vietnam<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref111\" id=\"ftnt111\">[111]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.peacecorps.gov\/news\/library\/peace-corps-signs-agreements-vietnam\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498473022&amp;usg=AOvVaw34_JhZC24w1POpSFiXeUKO\">https:\/\/www.peacecorps.gov\/news\/library\/peace-corps-signs-agreements-vietnam\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref112\" id=\"ftnt112\">[112]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/society\/772020\/agent-orange-day-marked.html&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498473166&amp;usg=AOvVaw3g0il7d3xmctMWtNmbmz00\">https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/society\/772020\/agent-orange-day-marked.html<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref113\" id=\"ftnt113\">[113]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about-us\/policy-offices\/press-office\/press-releases\/2020\/october\/ustr-initiates-section-301-investigations-vietnams-acts-policies-and-practices-related-valuation-its-currency&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498473485&amp;usg=AOvVaw21Z9qa-W8lwPu9GGT--4-G\">https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about-us\/policy-offices\/press-office\/press-releases\/2020\/october\/ustr-initiates-section-301-investigations-vietnams-acts-policies-and-practices-related-valuation-its-currency<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref114\" id=\"ftnt114\">[114]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CRS Report 2020, 2.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref115\" id=\"ftnt115\">[115]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/asean.org\/our-communities\/economic-community\/rcep\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498473674&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ERGoZpB8pwgH-52GwfQzH\">https:\/\/asean.org\/our-communities\/economic-community\/rcep\/<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref116\" id=\"ftnt116\">[116]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/apolatlegal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Decree-145-2020-ND-CP.pdf;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498473834&amp;usg=AOvVaw21LtPC0SI4-tGQl9ONA7qY\">https:\/\/apolatlegal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Decree-145-2020-ND-CP.pdf;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/resource\/news\/implementing-new-labour-code-will-expedite-viet-nam%25E2%2580%2599s-path-high-income&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498474034&amp;usg=AOvVaw1H2Y8yx1WlsKdZcxzmfUTz\">https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/resource\/news\/implementing-new-labour-code-will-expedite-viet-nam%E2%80%99s-path-high-income<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref117\" id=\"ftnt117\">[117]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/sm1206&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498474170&amp;usg=AOvVaw0pEVeqiNGn3GlMijc2Otz3\">https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/sm1206<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref118\" id=\"ftnt118\">[118]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about-us\/policy-offices\/press-office\/press-releases\/2020\/december\/ustr-issues-proposed-action-investigation-vietnams-acts-policies-and-practices-related-valuation-its-currency&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498474487&amp;usg=AOvVaw0y0WAiq1BRodhrNoIu_dsW\">https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about-us\/policy-offices\/press-office\/press-releases\/2020\/december\/ustr-issues-proposed-action-investigation-vietnams-acts-policies-and-practices-related-valuation-its-currency<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref119\" id=\"ftnt119\">[119]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about-us\/policy-offices\/press-office\/press-releases\/2020\/december\/ustr-releases-findings-section-301-investigation-v&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498474723&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zaPloPtSgo1mBRXWSFX8L\">https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about-us\/policy-offices\/press-office\/press-releases\/2020\/december\/ustr-releases-findings-section-301-investigation-v<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref120\" id=\"ftnt120\">[120]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CRS, <\/span><span class=\"c19 c22 c27\">Vietnam&rsquo;s Economy and U.S. Trade: Key Issues in 2021<\/span><span class=\"c9\">, 2.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref121\" id=\"ftnt121\">[121]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Ibid, 4.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref122\" id=\"ftnt122\">[122]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;VietRISE press release, Mar. 12, 2021: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietrise.org\/vietnamese-and-asian-american-organizations-across-the-country-denounce-upcoming-march-15-deportation-flight-to-viet-nam-say-deporting-refugees-is-anti-asian-violence\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498475202&amp;usg=AOvVaw1iLjz7sTsXKB1c1GKqt6xC\">https:\/\/vietrise.org\/vietnamese-and-asian-american-organizations-across-the-country-denounce-upcoming-march-15-deportation-flight-to-viet-nam-say-deporting-refugees-is-anti-asian-violence\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref123\" id=\"ftnt123\">[123]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Society for Cultural Anthropology, Oct. 19, 2021: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.culanth.org\/fieldsights\/what-to-the-incarcerated-and-deported-is-stopaapihate&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498475445&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LlFW4hrD7OD1n3g1SUZ2X\">https:\/\/www.culanth.org\/fieldsights\/what-to-the-incarcerated-and-deported-is-stopaapihate<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref124\" id=\"ftnt124\">[124]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Al D&iacute;a News, Mar. 16, 2021: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/aldianews.com\/en\/politics\/policy\/groundtheplane&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498475603&amp;usg=AOvVaw0iEVsJG7ECq-ssWQlmrVc_\">https:\/\/aldianews.com\/en\/politics\/policy\/groundtheplane<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref125\" id=\"ftnt125\">[125]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;VietRISE, Apr. 16, 2021: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietrise.org\/la-times-op-ed-vietnamese-refugees-whove-served-prison-time-unjustly-face-deportation-that-must-change\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498475842&amp;usg=AOvVaw2lU6_Y6ukVP7BFh7d0k5TA\">https:\/\/vietrise.org\/la-times-op-ed-vietnamese-refugees-whove-served-prison-time-unjustly-face-deportation-that-must-change\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref126\" id=\"ftnt126\">[126]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;WHO Vietnam: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.who.int\/vietnam\/news\/detail\/10-07-2021-viet-nam-receives-2-million-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-donated-by-usa-through-the-covax-facility&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498476104&amp;usg=AOvVaw0N-MTge5vf7ztuAh_QWYPE\">https:\/\/www.who.int\/vietnam\/news\/detail\/10-07-2021-viet-nam-receives-2-million-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-donated-by-usa-through-the-covax-facility<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref127\" id=\"ftnt127\">[127]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;UNICEF Vietnam: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/vietnam\/press-releases\/viet-nam-receives-additional-three-million-covid-19-vaccines-donated-united-states&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498476346&amp;usg=AOvVaw3uOE-OH85CqJryVQY-Jg4r\">https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/vietnam\/press-releases\/viet-nam-receives-additional-three-million-covid-19-vaccines-donated-united-states<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref128\" id=\"ftnt128\">[128]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;U.S. Embassy H&agrave; N&#7897;i chronology: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498476547&amp;usg=AOvVaw1OI01UjoBwAtUXz1AkXi4y\">https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref129\" id=\"ftnt129\">[129]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/vietnamese-wartime-accounting-initiative-vwai\/<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref130\" id=\"ftnt130\">[130]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;Vietnam News: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/society\/772020\/agent-orange-day-marked.html&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498476787&amp;usg=AOvVaw2fhxEBrn1a-q5njWdPlmpY\">https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/society\/772020\/agent-orange-day-marked.html<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref131\" id=\"ftnt131\">[131]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/tuoitrenews.vn\/us-provides-16-million-more-covid-19-vaccine-jabs-to-vietnam-10365987.htm&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498476977&amp;usg=AOvVaw2EMJEkUidmUo5C061Qn4Cx\">https:\/\/tuoitrenews.vn\/us-provides-16-million-more-covid-19-vaccine-jabs-to-vietnam-10365987.htm<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref132\" id=\"ftnt132\">[132]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov\/briefing-room\/presidential-actions\/2022\/03\/28\/a-proclamation-on-the-commemoration-of-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-vietnam-war\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498477246&amp;usg=AOvVaw2garGUmkE70RyiO1NcGZRL\">https:\/\/bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov\/briefing-room\/presidential-actions\/2022\/03\/28\/a-proclamation-on-the-commemoration-of-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-vietnam-war\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref133\" id=\"ftnt133\">[133]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/en.baochinhphu.vn\/prime-minister-pham-minh-chinh-arrives-in-us-for-asean-us-summit-111220511143739484.htm&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498477466&amp;usg=AOvVaw0P5486AkSTkvnsE4xfyvQ4\">https:\/\/en.baochinhphu.vn\/prime-minister-pham-minh-chinh-arrives-in-us-for-asean-us-summit-111220511143739484.htm<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref134\" id=\"ftnt134\">[134]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2022\/05\/23\/fact-sheet-international-partners-join-americas-initiative-to-form-the-indo-pacific-economic-framework\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498477754&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Uhpw7sftK916xYegAIcJH\">https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2022\/05\/23\/fact-sheet-international-partners-join-americas-initiative-to-form-the-indo-pacific-economic-framework\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref135\" id=\"ftnt135\">[135]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498477853&amp;usg=AOvVaw0-P5tCtUxTDKlSFDcYrzNS\">https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref136\" id=\"ftnt136\">[136]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.commerce.gov\/news\/press-releases\/2022\/09\/statement-indo-pacific-economic-framework-prosperity-ministerial-meeting&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498478085&amp;usg=AOvVaw1NoWhdTXW4q3eF0enBD_zn\">https:\/\/www.commerce.gov\/news\/press-releases\/2022\/09\/statement-indo-pacific-economic-framework-prosperity-ministerial-meeting<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref137\" id=\"ftnt137\">[137]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietreader.com\/business\/71064-us-announces-new-contract-for-bien-hoa-airbase-dioxin-clean-up-project.html&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498478292&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LHS9LOWxiBrc2tRaM930W\">https:\/\/vietreader.com\/business\/71064-us-announces-new-contract-for-bien-hoa-airbase-dioxin-clean-up-project.html<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref138\" id=\"ftnt138\">[138]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vovworld.vn\/en-US\/news\/vietnam-us-hold-labor-dialogue-1152205.vov&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498478461&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qMJVbLYVCRehijt1WSiQH\">https:\/\/vovworld.vn\/en-US\/news\/vietnam-us-hold-labor-dialogue-1152205.vov<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref139\" id=\"ftnt139\">[139]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy1168&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498478589&amp;usg=AOvVaw1yQDpmgZYbiAJvA60wf2uU\">https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy1168<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref140\" id=\"ftnt140\">[140]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.bis.doc.gov\/index.php\/country-papers\/3429-2022-statistical-analysis-of-us-trade-with-vietnam\/file;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498478790&amp;usg=AOvVaw1VHpMigYZkwfwmlL30L25L\">https:\/\/www.bis.doc.gov\/index.php\/country-papers\/3429-2022-statistical-analysis-of-us-trade-with-vietnam\/file;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/mpi.gov.vn\/en\/Pages\/2022\/Report-on-foreign-direct-investment-in-2022-403479.aspx&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498478947&amp;usg=AOvVaw2n2HqanXclGnAwLbc4zLi2\">https:\/\/mpi.gov.vn\/en\/Pages\/2022\/Report-on-foreign-direct-investment-in-2022-403479.aspx<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref141\" id=\"ftnt141\">[141]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.state.gov\/30th-anniversary-of-the-united-states-lifting-its-trade-embargo-on-vietnam\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498479135&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zJAS16gbnflyFrvowhsp_\">https:\/\/www.state.gov\/30th-anniversary-of-the-united-states-lifting-its-trade-embargo-on-vietnam\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref142\" id=\"ftnt142\">[142]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.state.gov\/secretary-blinkens-visit-to-vietnam\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498479270&amp;usg=AOvVaw0oHfsR4GK5zCirXnXb55WU\">https:\/\/www.state.gov\/secretary-blinkens-visit-to-vietnam\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref143\" id=\"ftnt143\">[143]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.state.gov\/u-s-vietnam-sign-mou-on-semiconductor-supply-chains-workforce-and-skill-development\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498479477&amp;usg=AOvVaw14m0m0RIxaKK-Kr2SR3p-W\">https:\/\/www.state.gov\/u-s-vietnam-sign-mou-on-semiconductor-supply-chains-workforce-and-skill-development\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref144\" id=\"ftnt144\">[144]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.commerce.gov\/news\/press-releases\/2023\/06\/indo-pacific-economic-framework-ministerial-meeting-singapore&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498479687&amp;usg=AOvVaw1CX6jSp-Q2dVXSlBSmF3oD\">https:\/\/www.commerce.gov\/news\/press-releases\/2023\/06\/indo-pacific-economic-framework-ministerial-meeting-singapore<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref145\" id=\"ftnt145\">[145]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam\/press-releases\/jul-25-2023-usaid-and-vietnam-complete-dioxin-cleanup-da-nang-airport&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498479902&amp;usg=AOvVaw0bOi3d3kYQPW8OMbp6siYK\">https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/vietnam\/press-releases\/jul-25-2023-usaid-and-vietnam-complete-dioxin-cleanup-da-nang-airport<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref146\" id=\"ftnt146\">[146]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2023\/09\/11\/joint-leaders-statement-elevating-united-states-vietnam-relations-to-a-comprehensive-strategic-partnership\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498480208&amp;usg=AOvVaw0D2jWRELgXs3Ee3tpoAcN-\">https:\/\/bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2023\/09\/11\/joint-leaders-statement-elevating-united-states-vietnam-relations-to-a-comprehensive-strategic-partnership\/<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref147\" id=\"ftnt147\">[147]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usip.org\/publications\/2023\/09\/us-assistance-vietnamese-families-impacted-agent-orange&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498480408&amp;usg=AOvVaw0-xRKGvKlg7s33iwGyf1_D\">https:\/\/www.usip.org\/publications\/2023\/09\/us-assistance-vietnamese-families-impacted-agent-orange<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref148\" id=\"ftnt148\">[148]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/us-aircraft-carrier-visits-vietnam-strengthen-defense-ties-2023-10-02\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498480613&amp;usg=AOvVaw0pSHrS86kCdK0KOgaMYtvA\">https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/us-aircraft-carrier-visits-vietnam-strengthen-defense-ties-2023-10-02\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref149\" id=\"ftnt149\">[149]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Releases\/Release\/Article\/3573940\/us-vietnam-defense-policy-dialogue\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498480799&amp;usg=AOvVaw0TVYBHnLRNsj29icDLx7SW\">https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Releases\/Release\/Article\/3573940\/us-vietnam-defense-policy-dialogue\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref150\" id=\"ftnt150\">[150]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnamtimes.thoidai.com.vn\/vietnam-and-united-states-strengthen-labor-cooperation-68459.html&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498481001&amp;usg=AOvVaw3awoykeCvV9Cx45OtBtumz\">https:\/\/vietnamtimes.thoidai.com.vn\/vietnam-and-united-states-strengthen-labor-cooperation-68459.html<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref151\" id=\"ftnt151\">[151]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498481142&amp;usg=AOvVaw2zQ0Zl4XVhYww3kUfK-Ceh\">https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref152\" id=\"ftnt152\">[152]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/05\/08\/vietnam-false-claims-labor-rights&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498481292&amp;usg=AOvVaw1hHLPYMqoGpxqWy70vZHbX\">https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/05\/08\/vietnam-false-claims-labor-rights<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref153\" id=\"ftnt153\">[153]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/world\/vietnam-communist-party-head-nguyen-phu-trong-countrys-most-powerful-leader-dies-at-age-80&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498481529&amp;usg=AOvVaw34dpLEpuMyoaqaIqIfLkKl\">https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/world\/vietnam-communist-party-head-nguyen-phu-trong-countrys-most-powerful-leader-dies-at-age-80<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref154\" id=\"ftnt154\">[154]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/en.vietnamplus.vn\/activities-mark-agent-orange-day\/266439.vnp&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498481677&amp;usg=AOvVaw1FKn1Mcmav_idWfb8Fq6Ao\">https:\/\/en.vietnamplus.vn\/activities-mark-agent-orange-day\/266439.vnp<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref155\" id=\"ftnt155\">[155]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.state.gov\/under-secretary-for-arms-control-and-international-security\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498481840&amp;usg=AOvVaw3tOiGEXTM4KasvjbkhD9Rc\">https:\/\/www.state.gov\/under-secretary-for-arms-control-and-international-security\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref156\" id=\"ftnt156\">[156]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/asia\/newsroom\/us-announces-1-million-immediate-relief-efforts-following-typhoon-yagi;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498482046&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XO4C3IForlyg6TaJyestV\">https:\/\/www.usaid.gov\/asia\/newsroom\/us-announces-1-million-immediate-relief-efforts-following-typhoon-yagi;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/the-united-states-and-vietnam-mark-the-first-csp-anniversary-by-launching-semiconductor-workforce-development-and-public-policy-workshops\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498482292&amp;usg=AOvVaw3tl-oC2eZGKl-ZN0HVjNrp\">https:\/\/vn.usembassy.gov\/the-united-states-and-vietnam-mark-the-first-csp-anniversary-by-launching-semiconductor-workforce-development-and-public-policy-workshops\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref157\" id=\"ftnt157\">[157]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.mpi.gov.vn\/en\/Pages\/2024-9-25\/Vietnam-US-enhance-cooperation-in-development-of-scdjmvd.aspx&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498482501&amp;usg=AOvVaw3UpNaE9G0xSm8ajUKgg_xs\">https:\/\/www.mpi.gov.vn\/en\/Pages\/2024-9-25\/Vietnam-US-enhance-cooperation-in-development-of-scdjmvd.aspx<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref158\" id=\"ftnt158\">[158]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/politics-laws\/1663722\/top-vietnamese-leader-to-lam-meets-with-us-president-joe-biden.html&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498482707&amp;usg=AOvVaw36aCXqsdrMuEu5WIIMNE8E\">https:\/\/vietnamnews.vn\/politics-laws\/1663722\/top-vietnamese-leader-to-lam-meets-with-us-president-joe-biden.html<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref159\" id=\"ftnt159\">[159]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usip.org\/events\/third-annual-dialogue-war-legacies-and-peace-vietnam-laos-and-cambodia&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498482897&amp;usg=AOvVaw1e3h5-aGkAskzOGEY1WHW8\">https:\/\/www.usip.org\/events\/third-annual-dialogue-war-legacies-and-peace-vietnam-laos-and-cambodia<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref160\" id=\"ftnt160\">[160]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.trendforce.com\/news\/2024\/10\/22\/news-vietnam-seeks-to-become-next-semiconductor-hub-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498483123&amp;usg=AOvVaw3lV-RA7L1YGPYKV01VpmMO\">https:\/\/www.trendforce.com\/news\/2024\/10\/22\/news-vietnam-seeks-to-become-next-semiconductor-hub-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref161\" id=\"ftnt161\">[161]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.pacom.mil\/Media\/News\/News-Article-View\/Article\/4328960\/us-delivers-t-6c-training-aircraft-to-vietnam\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498483330&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nGj0i27ojo4xHBRBmc-XQ\">https:\/\/www.pacom.mil\/Media\/News\/News-Article-View\/Article\/4328960\/us-delivers-t-6c-training-aircraft-to-vietnam\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref162\" id=\"ftnt162\">[162]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.pacom.mil\/Media\/News\/News-Article-View\/Article\/4017408\/dod-participates-in-vietnam-defense-expo-2024\/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498483549&amp;usg=AOvVaw3sieBfqu14NoVUirjO9XVn\">https:\/\/www.pacom.mil\/Media\/News\/News-Article-View\/Article\/4017408\/dod-participates-in-vietnam-defense-expo-2024\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref163\" id=\"ftnt163\">[163]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/asiamattersforamerica.org\/articles\/vietnams-semiconductor-industry-attracts-us-investments;&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498483739&amp;usg=AOvVaw35NYt1wKrOfnKwT_VDfgT7\">https:\/\/asiamattersforamerica.org\/articles\/vietnams-semiconductor-industry-attracts-us-investments;<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/wtocenter.vn\/tin-tuc\/27101-vietnams-electronics-industry-at-a-crossroads-amid-us-trade-policies&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498483912&amp;usg=AOvVaw07XsYTle5Ve0NDeOxC-Z12\">https:\/\/wtocenter.vn\/tin-tuc\/27101-vietnams-electronics-industry-at-a-crossroads-amid-us-trade-policies<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref164\" id=\"ftnt164\">[164]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.vaousa.org\/ice-re-arrest-and-detention-of-pre-1995-vietnamese-immigrants-is-inhumane<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref165\" id=\"ftnt165\">[165]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;AAJC, Jan. 22, 2025: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.advancingjustice-aajc.org\/press-release\/amidst-president-trumps-two-day-assault-executive-orders-asian-americans-advancing&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498484268&amp;usg=AOvVaw0-OxETtPmyuBjZDWAEMrID\">https:\/\/www.advancingjustice-aajc.org\/press-release\/amidst-president-trumps-two-day-assault-executive-orders-asian-americans-advancing<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref166\" id=\"ftnt166\">[166]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;USC Center for Health Journalism, Mar. 17, 2025, https:\/\/centerforhealthjournalism.org\/our-work\/reporting\/vietnamese-immigrants-face-mental-health-struggles-amid-trumps-wave-deportations<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref167\" id=\"ftnt167\">[167]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;CNN, Apr. 25, 2025: <\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/04\/25\/politics\/video\/vietnamese-americans-trump-first-100-days-lee-digvid&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498484674&amp;usg=AOvVaw2f0xxI9Kefq-mxrfE9wJyP\">https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/04\/25\/politics\/video\/vietnamese-americans-trump-first-100-days-lee-digvid<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref168\" id=\"ftnt168\">[168]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/vietnamtourism.gov.vn\/en\/post\/20990<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref169\" id=\"ftnt169\">[169]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/international\/us\/we-feel-we-got-abandoned-again-the-story-of-vietnamese-refugees-in-trumps-deportation-firing-line\/articleshow\/121464545.cms; https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/nation\/2025\/05\/28\/trump-administration-vietnamese-refugees-detains-black-april\/83475733007\/.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref170\" id=\"ftnt170\">[170]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.mayerbrown.com\/en\/insights\/publications\/2025\/05\/the-international-talent-pipeline-changes-in-us-visa-and-work-authorization-policies<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref171\" id=\"ftnt171\">[171]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"c11\"><a class=\"c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/vinacapital.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20250403VinaCapital-Insights-The-Impact-of-Trumps-Tariffs-on-Vietnam-1.pdf&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1769274498485453&amp;usg=AOvVaw1P7sUdLCcAPAhs01kKS7p1\">https:\/\/vinacapital.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20250403VinaCapital-Insights-The-Impact-of-Trumps-Tariffs-on-Vietnam-1.pdf<\/a><\/span><span class=\"c9\">; https:\/\/www.vndirect.com.vn\/cmsupload\/beta\/Econ_Update_20241128.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref172\" id=\"ftnt172\">[172]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.dpaa.mil\/News-Stories\/Our-Stories\/Article\/4273229\/us-vietnam-team-returns-possible-remains-of-vietnam-war-missing-supporting-iden\/<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref173\" id=\"ftnt173\">[173]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/files.simpler.grants.gov\/opportunities\/da0134da-9bf6-4b50-806a-cd4cb0830ebf\/attachments\/3a04d1d9-1a54-47ec-9df0-4eda7b72ee0f\/H08_NFO_VWA_HQ003425NFOEASD10_4_Sept.pdf<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref174\" id=\"ftnt174\">[174]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefings-statements\/2025\/10\/joint-statement-on-united-states-vietnam-framework-for-an-agreement-on-reciprocal-fair-and-balanced-trade\/.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref175\" id=\"ftnt175\">[175]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/ustr.gov\/about\/policy-offices\/press-office\/fact-sheets\/2025\/october\/fact-sheet-united-states-and-viet-nam-reach-framework-agreement-reciprocal-fair-and-balanced-trade<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><p class=\"c4\"><a href=\"#ftnt_ref176\" id=\"ftnt176\">[176]<\/a><span class=\"c9\">&nbsp;https:\/\/en.baochinhphu.vn\/viet-nam-us-promote-cooperation-in-war-legacy-remediation-111251031164104534.htm.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/body><\/html>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drafted by An T. Nguy&#7871;n (University of Maine), Nov. 9, 2025 2000 February 28&mdash;Vietnam announces for the first time that it will pay compensation for soldiers (1961-1975) and their children (about 2 millions) affected by Agent Orange during the war with the United States. March 30&mdash;The Air Force (Ranch Hand Study) has found the strongest [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":61,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-377","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Chronology of U.S.-Vietnam Relations (2000-2025) - The 50th Anniversary of Peace &amp; Social Progress in Vietnam<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/vietnam50.us\/Home\/reports\/chronology-of-u-s-vietnam-relations-2000-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chronology of U.S.-Vietnam Relations (2000-2025) - The 50th Anniversary of Peace &amp; Social Progress in Vietnam\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Drafted by An T. Nguy&#7871;n (University of Maine), Nov. 9, 2025 2000 February 28&mdash;Vietnam announces for the first time that it will pay compensation for soldiers (1961-1975) and their children (about 2 millions) affected by Agent Orange during the war with the United States. 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