Vietnam will expand US security ties incrementally

Significance

Earlier this month, Defence Minister Phan Van Giang met US counterpart Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon. In September 2023, during a visit by Biden to Vietnam, Hanoi and Washington elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Impacts

• Vietnam will increase purchases of non-lethal military equipment from the United States.
• Bilateral security cooperation will remain focused on low-sensitivity areas.
• The outcome of November’s US presidential election is unlikely to have a major bearing on the trajectory of Vietnamese-US defence relations.