Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang and US Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh in New York. Photo qdnd.vn

NEW YORK — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang met with US Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh in New York on the morning of September 21 (US time).

The meeting took place during the trip to the US by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and President Tô Lâm to attend the High-Level General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and conduct bilateral engagements.

Noh affirmed that the US attaches importance to Việt Nam’s role in the region and wishes to enhance bilateral cooperation for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

He expressed appreciation for the active support provided by Việt Nam, particularly its Ministry of National Defence, in efforts to search for US servicemen missing in action (MIA) during the war.

He affirmed the US Department of War’s strong support for and commitment to continued close cooperation with Việt Nam in addressing war legacies, describing this as a top priority in bilateral defence cooperation.

Giang spoke highly of the US Department of War’s coordination in organising an event regarding the initiative to search for missing persons from the war in Việt Nam, which, he said, demonstrates the US commitment to further contributing to Việt Nam’s 500-day campaign to accelerate the search for, collection and identification of martyrs’ remains.

Việt Nam wishes to further develop cooperation with the US on the basis of legitimate interests of both sides, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond, he said.

Welcoming positive developments in bilateral defence ties, Giang called on both sides to continue implementing agreed cooperation areas, including war legacy remediation; the search for, collection and identification of the remains of Vietnamese and US servicemen missing during the war; the bilateral defence policy dialogue; defence industry; maritime security; and military medicine.

He also called on the US to continue supporting Việt Nam in addressing war consequences, implementing community support programmes and tackling environmental issues to improve living conditions for people in affected areas.

Giang invited senior leaders and officials from the US Departments of War and the Navy, as well as US defence businesses, to attend the third Việt Nam International Defence Expo, scheduled to take place in Hà Nội in December 2026.

Earlier the same day, Giang met with leaders of tech firms. — VNA/VNS