Vietnam, U.S. strengthen collaboration in addressing POW/MIA issues

Welcoming the Director of DPAA back to Vietnam at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Vietnam–U.S. diplomatic relations (July 12, 1995 – July 12, 2025), Deputy Minister Pham The Tung underscored that, in the Joint Statement on the elevation of Vietnam–U.S. bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023, the two countries’ top leaders agreed to continue to closely collaborate in the search for U.S. servicemen missing in action during the war in Vietnam.

The host highly appreciated the goodwill and efforts of functional agencies of both countries, particularly the pivotal and direct role of DPAA, the U.S. MIA Office in Hanoi and the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP), in carrying out MIA search operations in Vietnam.

Highlighting the increasing difficulties and obstacles to current MIA search operations, the Deputy Minister proposed that the two sides continue to enhance coordination in implementing new initiatives and applying scientific and technological advancements to improve the effectiveness of the MIA search efforts.

Affirming that the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam will continue to assign experienced personnel, with the highest sense of responsibility, to support the U.S. in resolving MIA-related issues, Deputy Minister Pham The Tung also suggested that DPAA continue approaching the U.S. Congress, Government and civil society for support to Vietnam in overcoming war legacies, such as unexploded ordnance clearance, support for Agent Orange/dioxin victims and dioxin remediation projects.

For his part, Director Kelly K. McKeague underscored that DPAA has greatly appreciated the longstanding support and assistance of the Ministry of Public Security in particular and the Party, Government and people of Vietnam in general, in MIA search operations over the past 40 years.

In the context of aging and dwindling witnesses and increasingly altered sites due to environmental and climatic changes, the DPAA Director expressed his hope that the Ministry of Public Security and other competent agencies of Vietnam will further provide their assistance to the U.S. in future MIA missions, contributing to deepening the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a practical and effective manner.