Author: Hong-Kong Nguyen
Published: 13 March 2026
ISEAS Perspective 2026/18
Vietnam-U.S. defence cooperation is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable transformations in modern foreign relations, serving as a case study of how former adversaries have become partners when strategic interests align. This transformation has not been straightforward: it has spanned three decades and was characterised by deliberate caution, strategic calculation, and patient navigation of historical legacies. Beginning with the normalisation of diplomatic relations in 1995, the two countries gradually built trust which led to the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2023.[1] This progression reflects mutual efforts to address regional security challenges and incremental convergence of geopolitical interests.
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