US and Vietnam strengthen ties almost 50 years after the Vietnam War | ABCNL

Summary

In a remarkable turn of events nearly 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War, the US and Vietnam are strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. During a recent visit to Vietnam, President Biden aimed to solidify this relationship despite the historical shadows of war. The legacy of the Vietnam War, which saw over a million Vietnamese and tens of thousands of Americans perish, still lingers. However, today both nations are collaborating on business, technology, and education, as they face mutual challenges such as China's growing influence. This news segment delves into the evolving relationship, focusing on individuals who embody resilience and progress, like Nom, a pioneer in tech education, and Lyn Win, a young Vietnamese poised to study in the US.

Highlights

• President Biden's historic visit to Vietnam marks a significant milestone in the US-Vietnam relationship. 🇺🇸🇻🇳
• The memory of the Vietnam War looms as a backdrop to newfound cooperation between former foes. 🤔
• Vietnamese innovation and resilience are on display as they adapt to new global realities, inspired by a tumultuous past. 🔍
• Personal stories highlight the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese people and their drive for progress and success. 🏆
• The fusion of cultures and histories in Hanoi is a testament to Vietnam's rich, complex background and dynamic future. 🏯

Key Takeaways

• A new chapter in US-Vietnam relations opens as the two nations strengthen ties nearly five decades after the Vietnam War. 🌏
• President Biden's visit to Vietnam highlights a shift from historical conflict to modern cooperation in business and education. 🤝
• The legacy of the Vietnam War remains a poignant reminder, yet both countries are united against common global challenges. 🔄
• The Vietnamese are forging ahead, balancing their complex history with a forward-looking approach. 🚀
• Stories of resilience and progress, like those of Nom and Lyn, showcase Vietnam's evolving identity and opportunities. 🌟

Overview

In a historic twist, the US and Vietnam are rewriting their relationship nearly 50 years after the Vietnam War ended. President Biden's recent visit to Vietnam underscores the shift from adversaries to allies, as both nations now seek to bolster ties in business, technology, and education. Despite the war's lingering legacy, the two countries are uniting to face common threats, notably from China, highlighting a new era of cooperation.

The shadow of the Vietnam War remains a vivid memory as reflected in Hanoi's landscape, where remnants of the past coexist with lively urban activity. From preserved relics of American bombers in lakes to centuries-old gates and colonial architecture, Vietnam's capital is a living museum of history. Yet, the Vietnamese people are not held back by the past; they are pushing forward with dreams and ambitions that transcend their wartime experiences.

Through the lens of individual stories like those of Nom, who built a digital education empire, and Lyn Win, a student pursuing advanced studies in the US, we see a Vietnam that is resilient and hopeful. These narratives illustrate the nation's shift towards embracing new opportunities while maintaining a deep connection to its rich heritage. As Vietnam steps confidently into a future of possibility, it stands as a testament to endurance and transformation.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction The chapter titled 'Introduction' discusses the current geopolitical situation involving the US, focusing on its involvement in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Additionally, it highlights President Biden's recent visit to Vietnam to strengthen diplomatic and economic relationships. Despite attempts to move forward, the lingering effects of the Vietnam War continue to influence the relationship between the US and Vietnam nearly fifty years after the war's conclusion.
• 00:30 - 02:00: The Vietnam War Memorial and Survivor's Story This chapter explores a paradoxical scene where tranquility is juxtaposed with a reminder of past violence. Near an elementary school, a preserved B-52 bomber from the Vietnam War rests in a lake, signifying the historical American bombing campaign on December 27, 1972, which resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand Vietnamese civilians.
• 02:00 - 03:30: Reconciliation and Diplomatic Relations This chapter explores the impact of war on families in North Vietnam during the American bombing campaigns. It highlights the personal narrative of Win Tanam, whose family had to flee to the countryside for refuge, while some members stayed in the heavily bombed city. The chapter delves into the emotional aftermath and the lingering feelings of resentment and trauma experienced by survivors like Win Tanam's father, whose family suffered casualties during the conflict.
• 03:30 - 05:30: Economic and Cultural Development Post-War The chapter discusses the post-war developments in Vietnam, focusing on the country's evolution in diplomatic relations with America. Though America was heavily involved in the Vietnam War, which resulted in significant casualties for both Vietnamese and American people, Vietnam has moved forward, establishing stronger diplomatic ties with the United States. The chapter highlights this significant shift in international relations, with Vietnam now elevating America to its highest diplomatic status, nearly five decades after the war ended.
• 05:30 - 07:00: Generational Perspectives and Future Outlook The chapter discusses the evolving relationship between the US and Vietnam, highlighting how former enemies are now strengthening their ties in various sectors such as business, technology, and education. This newfound alliance is partly driven by mutual concerns regarding China's influence. A recent visit by President Biden to Vietnam's communist leaders underscores this transformation. Despite the progress in bilateral relations, there remains a desire among some, including a sentiment mentioned in the transcript, for acknowledgment or apologies for past conflicts.
• 07:00 - 08:00: Closing Remarks and Credits The chapter reflects on the unpredictability of international relations, specifically questioning the reliability of America as a partner. It emphasizes the importance of self-reliance, given the uncertainties of future events. After the war, an individual mentioned returns to his devastated homeland after studying mathematics in Moscow. Despite the country being isolated post-war, he becomes a pioneer in Vietnam's tech industry by co-founding the largest information technology company and later ventured into online business.

US and Vietnam strengthen ties almost 50 years after the Vietnam War | ABCNL Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 as the US grapples with two Wars in Ukraine and now in the Middle East it's closing the curtain on another bitter conflict from the past with President Biden recently visiting Vietnam to boost diplomatic and economic ties but the shadow of the Vietnam War still lingers over the two countries nearly five decades after that conflict ended ABC Selena Wang traveled with the president and has this story Hanoi is a city in perpetual
• 00:30 - 01:00 motion but nestled within it are peaceful Nooks like this one but among the piece next to this elementary school stands a reminder of war and America's violence this downed B-52 bomber from the Vietnam War preserved in the middle of a lake it was part of an American bombing campaign on December 27th 1972 that killed more than a thousand Vietnamese civilians we saw
• 01:00 - 01:30 the bombing every day we saw the the people dying like so many in Vietnam win tanam fled to the countryside to try and seek Refuge from the war but his father's family remained in a city in North Vietnam that faced aggressive American bombing how many of your father's family members died because of the war two to did your father have a lot of hatred towards the Americans H to say
• 01:30 - 02:00 at least he never told me about that Americans were involved in eight years of the two decade long Vietnam war that lasted until 1975 killing more than a million Vietnamese and losing tens of thousands of [Music] Americans now 48 years after the end of the war Vietnam is upgrading America to its highest diplomatic status the two
• 02:00 - 02:30 countries once enemies now boosting ties in business technology and education President Biden visiting the nation's communist leaders last month cementing the stunning reversal former foes now joining hands in the face of shared threats from China what are your feelings about this tighter Bond now between the US and Vietnam I very much would like to say to hear you know something from President Biden that he he was sorry for what happened you know but nobody say yet you know
• 02:30 - 03:00 and and still I think it's unfair do you think America is a reliable partner we never know what happen tomorrow so we have to to learn to rely on yourself after the war n studied mathematics in Moscow a close Ally of Hanoi but returned to find his country in shambles after the war Vietnam left totally alone n paved his own way co-founding the largest information tech company in Vietnam then later starting an on online
• 03:00 - 03:30 education platform called funix it's inspired he says by the ability of the Vietnamese people to pick themselves up hello there's never a dull moment in Hanoi it is a city constantly in motion and it reflects the complex and Rich history here right behind me is a centuries old Vietnamese gate and then nearby it you can see remnants of French colonialism like with this old building architecture and sandwich between all of that there are these noodle stalls sidewalk beer stores Bond me restaurants
• 03:30 - 04:00 it's never boring here now its people are charging forward with a new identity Lyn win is one of thousands of students who took courses on Nom's education platform funix she completed enough computer science courses online to graduate college in Just 2 years and her self-learning goes beyond coding so how did you learn English in school I watch many movies I love movies my favorite is Jackie Chan it's Jackie Chan
• 04:00 - 04:30 she's never left the country but she's taking a leap planning to move to Texas in a few years to finish her master's degree in data science how long do you want to stay in America for I think I will live there but in when I'm get older I will come back to Vietnam because I love my country you going put on Instagram Lynn is part of a new generation of Vietnamese who have capitalist ideals despite growing up in a communist Nation why do you want to come to America I think the country have any opportunity for me so I can um make
• 04:30 - 05:00 money and travel the world Vietnam is a place of paradoxes under the giant statue of communist revolutionary Vladimir lennin you'll find a new generation zigging and zagging embodying that American influence this 21-year-old tells me he just likes to skateboard here and doesn't pay much attention to the looming lenon statue but he was watching Biden's visit home go
• 05:00 - 05:30 while we were filming this grandfather and his three grandchildren Wander over to us what do you think of President Biden okay number one really number one like every person we spoke to he also had a war story were you in Hanoi during the Vietnam war where were you yes I and do you think your grand children are going to have a better life than you
• 05:30 - 06:00 did a brighter future but older Generations like Noms don't want the memory of Vietnam's suffering and endurance to disappear and he wears a daily reminder of that his rubber sandals during the war the Guerilla vetcon forces who battled Americans and South Vietnamese turned discarded tires from army trucks into sandals that could withstand the tough jungle Terrain Nom introduces us to his friend who owns the
• 06:00 - 06:30 rubber sandal store a former it worker himself even though he was born after the war he wants to preserve the symbol of Vietnam's resourcefulness in the face of adversity that resilience and grit driving Vietnam's future and its relationship with the world all thanks to Selena Wang for
• 06:30 - 07:00 that hi everyone George Stephanopoulos here thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel if you'd like to get more videos show highlights and watch live event coverage click on the right over here to subscribe to our Channel and don't forget to download the ABC News app for breaking news alerts thanks for watching