Major landmarks in VN-U.S. relations

The Special envoy of the U.S. President, John Vessey, visited Viet Nam in August 1987 to discuss humanitarian affairs of common concern.

The M.I.A Office officially came into operation in July 1991, becoming the first U.S. agency to operate in Viet Nam since 1975.

The U.S. lifted the ban on organized U.S. travel to Viet Nam in December 1991.

Direct telephone links with Viet Nam were established in November 1992.

U.S. President George H. Bush in December 1992 allowed American enterprises to open representative offices in Viet Nam and sign contracts after trade embargo against Viet Nam was abolished.

Viet Nam and the U.S. signed an agreement to set up liaison offices in each other’s capitals in January 1995.

The U.S. President Bill Clinton announced normalization of relations with Viet Nam on July 11, 1995.

Viet Nam and the U.S. inked the bilateral trade agreement in July 2000.

Mr. Bill Clinton became the first U.S. President to pay an official visit to Viet Nam in November 2000.

Mr. George W. Bush was the next U.S President to visit Viet Nam in November 2006.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai visited the U.S. in June 2005 at the invitation of President George W. Bush.

The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed legislation on extension of the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Viet Nam in December 2006.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet paid an official visit to the U.S. in June 2007 at the invitation of U.S. President George W. Bush.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung officially visited the U.S in June 2008 as a guest of President George W. Bush.

State President Truong Tan Sang paid an official visit to the U.S. in July 2013 as a guest of President Barack Obama, during which both sides issued a Joint Statement on establishment of comprehensive partnership.

Viet Nam and the U.S. signed agreement on civilian nuclear energy cooperation (agreement 123) in June 2014.

The U.S. partly lifted ban on lethal weapon sales to Viet Nam in October 2014.

The two countries celebrate the 20^th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2015. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is on an official visit to the U.S. at the invitation of the U.S administration./.

By Huong Giang