U.S. and Vietnam Launch Pacific Friendship 2025 in Quang Tri
Thứ năm, 11/09/2025 - 06:28 (GMT+7)
TCVM - The Government of Vietnam and U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) officially launched Pacific Friendship 2025 on September 9 in Quang Tri province. This marks the inaugural edition of the annual program, aimed at advancing humanitarian assistance and disaster response, medical cooperation, engineering support, and civil projects to benefit the Vietnamese people while deepening long-standing ties between the two nations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper highlighted the significance of the event: “We are proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations with Vietnam and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations. Pacific Friendship is a clear example of the breadth and depth of our cooperation.”
Distinguished guests pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of Pacific Friendship 2025 in Quang Tri province, Vietnam, Sept. 9, 2025.
As part of the program, Vietnam and the United States will carry out 12 key engagements, including demining operations, medical training, and infrastructure development. These activities will take place across 10 sites in Quang Tri, directly supporting local communities while contributing to the broader Indo-Pacific region’s disaster preparedness.
Maj. Gen. E. Darrin Cox, Commanding General of the U.S. Army’s 18th Theater Medical Command and USARPAC representative, emphasized the shared commitment: “As we embark on this journey together, we are united in our resolve to strengthen disaster response capabilities. By fostering closer cooperation, we will be able to respond with greater agility and innovation in future crises.”
18th Theater Medical Commanding General Command Maj. Gen. E. Darrin Cox, gives an overview of the 12 exchanges in during Pacific Friendship 2025.
Quang Tri Vice Chairman Hoang Nam welcomed the initiative, noting: “We firmly believe that Pacific Friendship 2025 will extend beyond tangible projects and visible results, fostering trust and opening new, deeper, and more sustainable opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and the United States, between Quang Tri and international partners, in the spirit of peace, friendship, and sustainable development.”
Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Province People's Committee Hoang Nam discusses the impact of Pacific Friendship 2025 during its opening ceremony Sept. 9, 2025 in the Cinema and Cultural Center at Quang Tri, Vietnam.
According to Maj. Katlyn Cugno, engagement planner with the 18th Theater Medical Command, the U.S. Department of Defense has allocated $1.5 million from its FY2025 budget to support Pacific Friendship 2025.
Since 2007, the U.S. Department of Defense has contributed more than $39 million to infrastructure projects in Vietnam, including 44 schools, 28 clinics that also serve as emergency shelters, 12 bridges, and 12 disaster management coordination centers in 32 provinces. These projects have strengthened Vietnam’s resilience to natural disasters while reinforcing bilateral cooperation.
Pacific Friendship builds on the long-running Pacific Partnership program, under which U.S. forces have collaborated with provinces across Vietnam on medical, humanitarian, and engineering initiatives since 2007. Additionally, since 2014, the Oregon National Guard has worked with Vietnam’s National Committee for Search and Rescue on the Disaster Management Engagement Activity (DMEA), further enhancing Vietnam’s disaster response capabilities and strengthening regional preparedness.
Ngoc Han
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