In his article, the Deputy Prime Minister said that at the time of normalisation of relations in 1995, Vietnam was known to most Americans as a war rather than a country. Today, the word "Vietnam" has become familiar in the daily life of Americans.
It is not easy to shelf the past, especially one deeply engraved with scars of war. Yet, with a forward-looking mindset, Vietnam and the US have made great efforts to move beyond the past and shape the future together.
Obviously, disagreements and differences still exist between Vietnam and the US. What is important is that both sides have clearly shown respect for differences and engaged in candid and open dialogues to narrow down disagreements and foster cooperation.
It is predicted that the 21st century will be the century of Asia. If that is true, the trans-Pacific ties between the US and Asian countries, including the comprehensive partnership with Vietnam, will be contributing factors that shape the region's future.
