US - Viet Nam Relations

American and Vietnamese officials gather at the Mi-17 Crash Memorial in Bac Trach Commune during a ceremony hosted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP).

On April 7, 2026, at a memorial site in Bắc Trạch Commune (Quảng Trị Province), Vietnam and the United States held a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Mi-17 helicopter crash that killed seven U.S. citizens and nine Vietnamese nationals during a joint mission to search for missing U.S. service members, reaffirming bilateral cooperation in post-war humanitarian efforts.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John McIntyre lays a wreath at the Memorial, joined by DPAA Indo-Pacific Director Chris Phelps, MFA Americas Department Director General Le Chi Dung, VNOSMP Director Le Cong Tien, Quang Tri Province leaders, DPAA personnel, and families of Vietnamese victims.

The ceremony was jointly organized by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons. Attendees included U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim John McIntyre, DPAA Indo-Pacific Director Chris Phelps, representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, VNOSMP, local authorities, and families of the victims. Participants paid tribute to the courage and dedication of the 16 individuals who lost their lives in the mission.

VNOSMP Director Le Cong Tien delivers remarks.

The accident occurred on April 7, 2001, when a Mi-17 helicopter carrying U.S. and Vietnamese personnel crashed in Quảng Bình Province while en route to support a search mission in western Nghệ An. Flying in dense fog, the aircraft struck a mountainside, killing all 16 people on board.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires John McIntyre highlighted the challenging conditions faced by MIA recovery teams, often operating in remote and difficult terrain accessible only by helicopter. He emphasized that each mission reflects a lasting commitment and a shared belief in the enduring values of cooperation and humanity, even after conflict.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John McIntyre joins Vietnamese and American teams working together at a DPAA recovery site near Dong Hoi.

Following the ceremony, delegates visited a joint Vietnam–U.S. recovery team working at a search and excavation site near Đồng Hới, acknowledging ongoing collaborative efforts to address the legacy of war.

Cooperation between Vietnam and the United States in this area began even before the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1995 and has since become a cornerstone of defense ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. Since 1985, the two countries have worked closely to locate U.S. personnel missing in action in Vietnam, including the establishment of a POW/MIA office in 1991. Efforts continue to account for 1,566 missing U.S. service members, reflecting a shared commitment that those who served will not be forgotten and will be brought home.