U.S.Defense Chief austin Returns Wartime Artifacts to Vietnam, Signals Strengthened Partnership
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III on Sunday handed over a leather box, belt, and knife – artifacts taken by American soldiers during the Vietnam War – to Vietnamese officials, underscoring a deepening security partnership between the two former adversaries. The gesture accompanied renewed commitments to collaborative efforts addressing the warS lingering legacy, including the cleanup of Agent Orange contamination and recovery of remains of missing service members.
Austin’s visit comes as the U.S. seeks to bolster alliances in the Indo-pacific region and as Vietnam navigates complex geopolitical relationships, including recent overtures toward Russia. Cooperation on postwar issues has been central to the improving U.S.-Vietnam relationship sence the normalization of ties in 1995, and the return of thes artifacts symbolizes a commitment to addressing past conflicts while forging a future of collaboration.
The handover took place during Austin’s meetings with Vietnamese leaders, including Minister of National Defense Gen. Phan Văn Giang. It represents a tangible step in acknowledging the war’s impact and fostering trust, according to analysts. ”War legacy cooperation is the foundation enabling deeper defense ties,” said Nguyen khac Giang, a visiting fellow in the Vietnam Studies Program at Singapore’s ISEAS-yusof Ishak Institute. “For Washington, it demonstrates long-term obligation and goodwill to solve lingering war consequences. For Hanoi, it provides essential political cover for expanding relations with a former adversary.”
The U.S. and Vietnam have worked together for decades to clear unexploded ordnance, recover the remains of missing service members, and remediate dioxin contamination from former U.S. air bases. Concerns arose when U.S. funding for some of these programs was temporarily slashed under the Trump governance, halting cleanup work before it resumed. Austin’s visit and the recommitment to these projects are seen as crucial for stabilizing relations.
Vietnam’s recent diplomatic moves, including Communist Party chief To Lam’s visit to North korea in early October – the first such trip in nearly two decades – and potential interest in purchasing 40 Russian Su-35 fighter jets, highlight the country’s strategy of hedging its bets in a shifting geopolitical landscape. The Associated Press has reported on efforts between Moscow and Hanoi to maintain financial transactions despite U.S. sanctions imposed on russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
“Hegseth’s visit demonstrates Vietnam’s intentional deepening of defense ties with the U.S., but strictly on Hanoi’s terms,” giang added. Austin’s trip signals the U.S. intention to remain a key partner for Vietnam, even as Hanoi pursues its own strategic interests.
