US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, on behalf of the government of the United States, has wished Vietnam a peaceful and prosperous year ahead as the Southeast Asian country celebrates its National Day on September 2. “This year, I was able to see firsthand the remarkable growth in our bilateral relationship, and the rapid pace of positive change in Vietnam. You have much to be proud of as a strong, dynamic, and culturally vibrant nation, deeply engaged with friends and partners across the region,” he said in a statement on the State Department’s website.

“Together, Vietnam and the United States have accomplished much over the past year. We have expanded our security relationship, forged new business links, and grown our people-to-people ties.

Visits by President Trump, Secretary Mattis and Deputy Prime Minister Hue have reinforced our shared commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and we look forward deepening our cooperation in the year ahead. The future for our two nations is bright, and our friendship is full of still greater promise,” the US top diplomat noted.

President Donald Trump visited Vietnam in November 2017 after attending the APEC summit in Da Nang.

Congratulations by the US Secretary of State to Vietnam on National Day have become an annual practice since at least Secretary John Kerry was at the helms of the department.