• April 30, 1975: A US trade embargo, already in effect against North Vietnam since 1964, is extended to the whole of Vietnam.
  • Aug. 1st 3rd, 1987, Special Envoy of President Reagan, General John Vessey first time visits Vietnam to discuss humanitarian issues of mutual interest.
  • Sept. 29th-31st, 1988: Second visit of General John Vessey to Vietnam on humanitarian issues which both sides share interest.
  • Sept. 29th, 1990 Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach meets State Secretary James Baker in New York.
  • November 11, 1991 the US Government officially allows American tourists, veterans, journalists, businessmen to visit Vietnam.
  • Dec 14 1992: President George Bush allows US companies to open representative offices in Vietnam and to sign contracts once the US trade embargo is lifted.
  • April 25 1993: The first US company, Vatico (consultancy), opens an office in Vietnam.
  • July 2 1993: President Clinton authorizes the International Monetary Fund to refinance Vietnam’s foreign debt (140 million dollars), clearing the way for Vietnam to receive international financial aid.
  • Sept 14 1993: President Clinton allows US firms to take part in development projects financed by international institutions in Vietnam.
  • Feb 3 1994: Clinton announces the lifting of the trade embargo against Vietnam, a week after it is approved by the US Senate.
  • Jan 28, 1995: The two countries announce the opening of liaison offices.
  • July 11, 1995: President Clinton and Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet announce of establishment of diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam.
  • Aug 5, 1995 : Secretary of State Warren Christopher inaugurates the US embassy in Hanoi as he pays the first official visit by a US secretary of state to Vietnam.
  • May 1997: the two countries exchange Ambassadors: Mr. Le Van Bang becomes Vietnamese Ambassador to the US; Mr. Douglas Peterson as US ambassador to Vietnam.
  • June 26th-27th 1997 : US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visits Vietnam.
  • March 11th, 1998 : First time President Clinton announces a waiver that excludes Vietnam from the Jackson-Vanick amendment .
  • Oct 1st 1998: Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam visits the US, the first official visit to the US.
  • January 1999: Vietnam grants Most Favored Status to American companies working in Vietnam although the two countries dont have bilateral trade agreement yet.
  • July 25th 1999: Vietnam signs a trade agreement in principle with the US in Hanoi.
  • March 13th, 2000: US Defense Secretary William Cohen pays an official visit to Vietnam.
  • June 19th 2000 : The US pledges 1.7 million dollars in humanitarian aid to help Vietnam detect and destroy mines and unexploded ordnance.
  • July 13th 2000: The two sides sign a landmark trade agreement a quarter of a century after the end of the Vietnam War.
  • Sept 14th 2000: The White House announces that President Clinton will pay an official visit to Hanoi in mid-November, after attending a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Brunei.
  • Sept 21-24th 2000: Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien pays an official visit to Washington
  • Nov 16-19th, 2000: US President Clinton pays an official vist to Vietnam
  • Jan 9, 2001: Vietnam and the U.S signed MOU for technical cooperation in Meteorology and Hydrology.
  • April 7,2001: Helicopter crash killed 16 members of joint MIA mission between Vietnam and the U.S
  • June 1st, 2001: President Bush decided to waiver Jackson-Vanik amendment to Vietnam.
  • July 2-6th, 2001: Vietnam and the U.S agreed to conduct two research projects on Agent Orange.
  • July 24-27th, 2001: U.S State Secretary Powell attended ASEAN meetings in Hanoi.
  • Sept 12th, 2001: President Tran Duc Luong and Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien send message of condolences to President Bush and American people ater tragey Sept 11.
  • Oct. 8th, 2001: U.S Senate approved the Bilateral Trade Agreement between the U.S and Vietnam.
  • Oct 18th, 2001: President Bush signed Resolution of ratification of BTA.
  • Nov 24th, 2001: Vietnam’s National Assembly approved BTA.
  • Dec 10th, 2001: Bilateral Trade Agreement enters effect after exchange of ratification letters by Vietnam’s Trade Minister Vu Khoan and U.S Trade Representative Zoelick at Blair House.
  • Dec 10-12th, 2001: Permament Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung pays an official visit to the U.S. DPM has meetings with National Security Adviser Dr. Rice, Acting State Secretary Armitage; Trade Secretary Evans; Senators John Kerry; John McCain; Congressman Philip Crane.
  • June 12-22th, 2002: Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam pays an visit to the U.S to promote trade and economic relations between the two countries.
  • July 23rd, 2002: U.S House of representatives support the President’s decision to extend waiver from Jackson-Vanik provisions for Vietnam for another year by a vote 338-91.
  • November 9-12, 2003, Defense Minister Pham Van Tra visits the US for the first time to discuss cooperation and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.
  • December 4, 2003: Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan visits the United States and oversees the signing of an aviation agreement and agreement on technical cooperation between USAID and the Government Office.
  • April 2, 2004: The formation of the US-Vietnam Caucus is announced.
  • April 25-28, 2004: Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Phuc Thanh visits the United States.
  • June 23, 2004: President Bush designats VN as a new recipient for the $15 billion plan to combat AIDS.
  • December 9, 2004: United Airlines launches the first direct service between US and VN.
  • June 19 – 25, 2005: Visit to the United States by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.
  • April 21, 2006: Visit to Vietnam by U.S. House of Representative Speaker Dennis Hastert
  • May 31, 2006: Signing of bilateral agreement on Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
  • November 17 – 20, 2006: First visit to Vietnam by U.S. President George W. The President attends the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Hanoi and visit Ho Chi Minh City.
  • December 08 2006: Approval by U.S. House of Representative of the Bill to extend the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Vietnam. Dec 9 2006, the Bill was passed in the US Senate.
  • March 9 – 16 2007: Visit to the US by Deputy PM and FM Phạm Gia Khiem.
  • June 18 – 23 2007: Historic Visit by President of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Triet to the US
  • Jan 22 2008: Vietnamese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipontentiary Le Cong Phung presents Letter of Credence to US President George W. Bush.
  • June 23 -26  2008: Visit to the US by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
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