Beijing has voiced objection after Washington blamed Beijing of using intimidation to undermine the sovereign rights of Southeast Asian coastal states in the South China Sea.

ASEAN foreign ministers' first-time statement stresses the importance of multilateralism.

Vietnam’s foreign policy of openness, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations for peace, amity, cooperation and development bears close resemblance to ASEAN’s.

AIPA 41 urges countries to fully respect the independence and sovereignty, the territorial integrity of others and not to take any action that could damage peace and stability in the region.

The US – Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement has been a fundamental foundation in economic relations between the two countries, providing Vietnamese traders with opportunities to access to the world's largest economy and open door for global economic integration.