U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth walks with his staff prior to a ministerial lunch at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Dita Alangkara/Pool via REUTERS
HANOI (Reuters) -Washington wants deeper military cooperation with Vietnam, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday during a visit to Hanoi, where he is set to meet leaders of the Southeast Asian nation.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, Hegseth said Washington's military ties with Vietnam have involved the delivery of three cutters to the Vietnamese coastguard and three T-6 trainer aircraft, from an order of 12.
"The United States is committed to continuing these projects and more," Hegseth said, adding that the United States supported a strong and independent Vietnam.
"Deeper cooperation will benefit both of our countries."
(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
