U.S. Pacific Command leader visits Vietnam to strengthen defense partnership

07 August 2026

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, traveled to Vietnam from Aug. 4-6 to meet with senior Vietnamese officials, reaffirming the growing U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks join Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), during an alumni reunion for Vietnamese graduates of APCSS programs. APCSS alumni exchanged ideas, strengthened professional networks, and explored collaborative solutions to regional security challenges in Hanoi, Vietnam, Aug. 5, 2026. US PACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, and deterring aggression. (Courtesy photo)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, met with Vietnamese Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong in Hanoi, Vietnam, Aug. 5, 2026. The leaders discussed regional security priorities, defense cooperation initiatives and ways to expand military-to-military engagement between the two nations. US PACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies and deterring aggression. (Courtesy photo)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, met with General Secretary and President To Lam in Hanoi, Vietnam, Aug. 5, 2026. The leaders discussed advancing the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including on security and defense cooperation. US PACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies and deterring aggression. (Courtesy photo)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, spoke to students at the Le Quy Don Technical University in Hanoi, Vietnam, Aug. 5, 2026. US PACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies and deterring aggression. (Courtesy photo)

During his trip, Paparo met with Vietnamese Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong. The leaders discussed regional security priorities, defense cooperation initiatives and ways to expand military-to-military engagement between the two nations. Paparo also met with General Secretary and President To Lam to discuss advancing the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including on security and defense cooperation.

Highlighting a deep respect for Vietnam's history and military, Paparo's itinerary included a visit to the Le Quy Don Technical University, which is also known as at the Military Technical Academy, a premier Vietnamese university offering military and civilian training.

Paparo also toured the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Hanoi, gaining valuable insight into Vietnam's military history.

As part of the visit, the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) and their director, Suzanne P. Vares-Lum, hosted an alumni event for Vietnamese graduates of APCSS programs. APCSS alumni exchanged ideas, strengthened professional networks, and explored collaborative solutions to regional security challenges.

Thirty-one years after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the United States and Vietnam are Comprehensive Strategic Partners, the highest level in Vietnam’s hierarchy of diplomatic relations.