In September 2023, US President Joe Biden visited Vietnam. Hosted by the Secretary-General of the Communist Party, Vietnam’s most senior official, the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership. This marks the latest stage in an extraordinary turnaround in relations between two countries that once fought a bitter and brutal war. But how did it develop? And what lies behind this change?

The Vietnam War was hugely traumatic for both countries. As well as the millions left dead in Vietnam, the country suffered appalling environmental damage. Meanwhile, for the United States, the Vietnam War was the first loss in its history. On top of this, thousands of military personnel remained unaccounted for. However, by the start of the 1990s, relations were changing, and in 1995, the two countries normalised their relations. Since then, ties have gone from strength to strength. As well as economic and trade links, they have established a range of cultural and educational links. But what has really come to define the relationship is security. In the face of growing Chinese assertiveness, especially in the South China Sea, the two countries have forged closer ties. However, things aren’t quite as they seem. Differences still persist. And Vietnam’s relationship with Beijing is also complex. But while China has called on the United States to avoid a Cold War mentality and asked Vietnam to remember its positive past ties to China, Has Hanoi now decided to look firmly towards the West?

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:49 Reconciliation in International Relations
01:47 Background to Vietnam
02:26 The Origins of Vietnam
03:45 The Indo-China War and the Vietnam War, 1945-75
06:26 US-Vietnam Bilateral Relations after the Vietnam War
07:39 United States and Vietnam Rebuild Relations
08:49 The Development of US-Vietnam Relations
10:31 US-Vietnam Security Cooperation
11:50 China in US-Vietnam Relations

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
Lyndon B. Johnson Speech 1968
https://www.lbjlibrary.org/object/vid...
1973 Vietnam Peace Agreement
https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publicati...
State Department | Vietnam Human Rights Practices 2022
https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-co...
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership | Joint Statement
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-r...

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