US - Viet Nam Relations

Rooted in Ho Chi Minh's vision 

In 1945, amidst complex geopolitical shifts, President Ho Chi Minh recognized early on that state diplomacy must be accompanied by people-to-people diplomacy. The Vietnam-USA Society was established on October 17, 1945, and only one month later, the V.A.F.A. Review was published entirely in English. This event transcended the scope of a mere journalistic activity, serving as an affirmation that Vietnam was ready to enter the orbit of international cooperation with a spirit of openness and trust. From those first printed pages, the magazine has carried the mission of serving as a bridge between the two nations, a pioneering channel introducing the image of the country, people, and culture of Vietnam to the American public.

By the late 1960s, as the war escalated and the anti-war movement exploded in the United States, Vietnam proactively established organizations to mobilize the American people, most notably the Vietnam Committee for Solidarity with the American People, founded in 1968. While the central task of people-to-people diplomacy in 1945 was to create friendship, the objective during this period shifted to building solidarity and securing support from the American public for Vietnam's just struggle. Although forms and strategies shifted with the context, the essence of the mission to connect the people of the two countries remained constant.

The Vietnam-USA Magazine has become a useful bridge between American friends and the Vietnamese people.

A powerful transformation occurred in 1992, when the Vietnam Committee for Solidarity with the American People reverted to its original name, the Vietnam-USA Society. This decision, made before the U.S. officially lifted the embargo and prior to the normalization of bilateral relations, reflected Vietnam's proactive vision in creating a social and psychological foundation to open a new era of cooperation. Alongside the Society's re-establishment, Vietnam - USA Magazine resumed publication in print, appearing regularly to help strengthen trust, eliminate prejudice, and promote exchange between two nations that had traversed many historical turns.

Since then, Vietnam - USA Magazine has defined its position as a prestigious forum for diplomats, scholars, journalists, and experts from both countries. Many distinguished figures in Vietnamese diplomacy have authored valuable articles for the magazine, including Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien, Ambassador Bui The Giang, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, and Ambassador Pham Quang. These experienced and dedicated voices have enriched the academic and practical value of the magazine, contributing to the creation of a constructive dialogue space regarding bilateral relations.

80 years of steadfast friendship 

Entering the digital era, the magazine has continued to undergo significant innovations. In 2020, Vietnam - USA Magazine was granted an electronic operation license, officially becoming a modern, flexible media platform with expanded reach to a broad audience both domestically and internationally. Under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Hai Giang and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Dao Ngoc Tuoc, along with a team of nearly 30 reporters and editors across various regions, the magazine continuously improves content quality, emphasizing multidimensionality, objectivity, and humanity. These efforts have been recognized through two consecutive National External Information Service Awards—a testament to the prestige of a press agency that has accompanied the development of Vietnam-U.S. relations.

As relations between the two countries have been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the role of Vietnam - USA Magazine has become increasingly important. Beyond reflecting cooperation across fields ranging from economics, trade, education, and health to science, technology, defense, and security, the magazine contributes to deepening understanding and trust among the business communities, academia, and people of both countries. At a time when digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development are becoming shared priorities, the magazine also serves as a conduit for spreading new values and cooperation opportunities, opening up potential-rich corridors of intersection for the future.

U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper holds the Vietnam - USA Magazine alongside the Vietnamese business delegation at SelectUSA 2025.

Eighty years have passed since the publication of the first issue, and Vietnam - USA Magazine has walked alongside the changes of the country, the ups and downs of bilateral relations, and the maturation of Vietnamese diplomacy. From a fledgling publication born during a momentous historical moment, the magazine has today become a professional, steadfast, and distinctive external press institution. The magazine's history is vivid proof of an uninterrupted mission: nurturing dialogue, creating trust, and weaving a bridge of friendship between the people of two nations that once passed through war but have chosen peace and cooperation as the fulcrum for the future.

Looking back on that 80-year journey, Vietnam - USA Magazine acts not only as a witness to history but also as an active participant contributing to shaping the process of reconciliation, cooperation, and development between Vietnam and the United States. In the context of a volatile world, the magazine continues to affirm its role as a reliable bridge for external communication, contributing to building a sustainable, deep, and substantive relationship aimed at peace, stability, and prosperity for both peoples.