President Joe Biden was wrapping up a visit to Vietnam on Monday, meeting with Vietnamese government officials and business leaders and spotlighting new deals and partnerships between the two countries.
He’ll also visit a Hanoi memorial honouring his late friend and colleague Sen. John McCain, who was held for more than five years as a prisoner during the Vietnam War. Biden met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính, who also accompanied Biden to a quick drop by at a meeting of business leaders. Biden also sat down with President Võ Van Thuong, who hosted the US president for a formal state luncheon. Biden spoke about strengthening Vietnam’s semiconductor industry and his administration’s commitment to an open Pacific. “My message today is quite simple. Let’s keep it up,’’ Biden told the CEOs. “We need to develop and drive our collaboration, We need to forge new partnerships.” The prime minister also stressed the need to improve cooperation and said “the sky is the limit” for the expanding US-Vietnam relationship. “We truly wish to receive strong political commitment from the US government including you, Mr President, who has had great affection for Vietnam,’’ the prime minister said.