This year marks the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States. From being former enemies, today the two countries have become important partners, with extensive cooperation in many fields.
As one of the three pillars of Vietnamese diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy has played a pioneering role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development, as well as enhancing Vietnam’s position in the international arena. From a humanitarian perspective, people-to-people diplomacy also demonstrates an important mission in healing the wounds of war, especially in the relationship between Vietnam and the United States. In particular, the reconciliation efforts between veterans of the two countries are a symbol of the transformation from confrontation to cooperation, from painful memories to a bright future.
People-to-people diplomacy acts as a bridge to heal past wounds, bringing the light of sympathy and understanding between people who once stood on opposite sides of the battle line. In the turbulent flow of U.S.-Vietnam relations, there is no more moving and meaningful image than when veterans who once fought each other with guns now join hands in a spirit of reconciliation, building the future together. They are not only living witnesses of the war, but also messengers of peace, contributing to healing the wounds of war that remain imprinted on every land and every person. Their efforts not only help heal the wounds of soldiers who once fought, but also make an important contribution to the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United States in the 21st century.
In the 50 years since the end of the painful war in Vietnam, American veterans have moved to reconnect and return to the “S” shaped strip of land but with a completely different mindset. They no longer carry weapons, but come bearing remorse, regret, and the desire to heal the wounds of memories. They return to old battlefields, listen to the stories of those who were once opponents, and visit villages that still suffer the heavy consequences of war. These emotional reunions are not only trips back to the years of war but also practical actions to eliminate hatred and build friendship between the two countries and two peoples.
Those healing efforts are supported by organizations such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Veterans For Peace. These groups helped bring American veterans to Vietnam, so that they could witness and feel the pain of war – not only from the perspective of the winning or losing side, but through the real feelings of those who had suffered the scars of war.
The story of Bobby Muller, a former U.S. Marine who fought in Vietnam, has become a vivid example of the transformation from hatred to reconciliation. Returning to the United States after the war, Muller not only fought for the rights of U.S. veterans but also spent the rest of his life lobbying the U.S. government to support Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of the war. He was one of the pioneers calling for the clearance of unexploded bombs in Vietnam, helping thousands of people escape the risk of losing their lives or becoming disabled because of an unexploded bomb planted during a war decades ago. Muller’s journey has become a symbol of a change in perceptions: from a soldier who once considered Vietnam an “enemy” he is now a companion of the Vietnamese people in the process of rebuilding the country.
Not only American veterans, but also Vietnamese veterans have opened their hearts and welcomed the “foreign” soldiers of the past with tolerance. They do not forget the past, but also do not let the past bind the future. These soldiers fought for national independence; when peace was restored many of them turned their efforts to reconciliation and solidarity. They participated in meetings and dialogues, together recalling memories of war, not to reopen wounds, but to find common ground in understanding. The Vietnam Veterans Association has coordinated with non-governmental organizations from the United States many times to organize exchange programs, creating conditions for veterans from both countries to sit together and share painful memories that both sides are determined to work through and overcome.
People-to-people diplomacy between veterans does not stop at handshakes or emotional meetings, but is also demonstrated through joint efforts in humanitarian projects. The U.S. government, under pressure from veterans and peace activists, has gradually supported Vietnam in clearing bombs and mines and detoxifying dioxin – the painful consequences of Agent Orange that the U.S. military once sprayed on Vietnam. Cooperation between the two countries in searching for and repatriating the remains of missing soldiers not only have humanitarian significance but also contribute to building trust between the two governments, thereby promoting strong progress in bilateral relations. During U.S. President Joe Biden’s 2023 visit to Vietnam, he traveled halfway around the world with an American veteran to return a war diary to a Vietnamese veteran, Nguyen Van Thien. The handshake and hug shared by the two former soldiers became a symbol of friendship, healing, and continuity, bringing the bilateral relationship to greater heights.
Education and cultural exchange also play an important role in this reconciliation process. Many U.S. veterans have established scholarship funds for Vietnamese students, creating opportunities for the younger generations of the two countries to meet, study, and understand each other better. Curricula about the Vietnam War in American schools have changed. They are no longer simply subjective lessons from one side, but increasingly approached in an objective way, helping students better understand the nature of the war and its consequences for both peoples. These efforts have deepened the bond between the people of the United States and Vietnam, gradually building a relationship based on mutual understanding and respect.
Despite differences in political views and foreign policy strategies, people-to-people diplomacy, led by those who have directly experienced war, has created lasting bridges connecting the two nations. Soldiers who once fought with guns are now planting seeds of peace together, so that one day, future generations will no longer have to remember war in pain, but only remember it as a valuable lesson of history. They are living proof of the power of forgiveness, compassion and cooperation, the foundations for a brighter future for Vietnam and the United States.
Reconciliation is not about forgetting the past, but about learning to move forward together. People’s diplomacy is not simply about exchanges and symbolic handshakes, but more deeply, it involves understanding, sharing, and practical actions for the common good. And in that journey, veterans – people who have witnessed war at its fiercest – are the pioneers, using their own experiences and hearts to heal, to build, to prove that peace is not a distant thing but a completely achievable goal when people know how to put humanity above all.