Expanding opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries

During the meeting, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized that the United States is among Vietnam’s largest partners. Over nearly three decades, bilateral relations have developed comprehensively, with both countries officially upgrading to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

On September 9, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang met with the Oregon State House delegation led by Daniel Nguyen at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Hanoi, strengthening Vietnam–Oregon cooperation in agriculture and environment

“Bilateral trade in agricultural, forestry, and fishery products is complementary rather than competitive. This forms a solid foundation for close and sustainable cooperation between enterprises from both sides,” Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang said.

Vietnam imports about USD 1.5 billion worth of wheat and USD 9 billion of corn, soybeans, and related commodities annually, including approximately USD 1.5 billion from the U.S. With Vietnam’s recent reduction of tariffs to 0% on corn and soy products, opportunities for Oregon to boost agricultural exports to Vietnam are substantial.

In response, Mr. Daniel Nguyen highlighted Oregon’s potential: “Oregon’s strategic location provides access to markets via multiple ports and airports. The state has the second-largest agricultural sector in the U.S., including beef, animal feed, and berries, and is one of the world’s largest seed-producing regions. These conditions set the stage for strategic bilateral cooperation.”

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang proposed closer business links and an MOU with Oregon’s Department of Agriculture to boost trade, investment, and cooperation in sustainable agriculture

To further promote trade in agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang proposed stronger connections between businesses from both sides, enabling the exchange of investment and commercial opportunities. He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to foster agricultural development, trade, and investment. He also encouraged collaboration in research and development, as well as the sharing of knowledge on sustainable and green agriculture between Vietnamese agencies and their Oregon counterparts.

Resource management and disaster preparedness

The U.S. government has supported Vietnam in several technical projects in resource management, including sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and the protection of coastal ecosystems in the Mekong Delta. Vietnam Department of Geology and Minerals (under the Ministry) has signed an MOU with the U.S. Department of Energy and Natural Resources to cooperate on technical matters, information sharing, and best practices in geological economics and resource valuation.

Vietnam values its agricultural and environmental cooperation with the U.S., noting effective partnerships not only with the federal Department of Agriculture but also with states like Washington and California, and recent MOUs with U.S. commodity associations to boost bilateral trade

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang noted that to sustain annual growth of 9–10%, Vietnam needs to supplement approximately 12% of its energy each year. In addition to traditional energy sources, Vietnam is particularly interested in developing wind and nuclear power, opening new opportunities for investment and research cooperation with Oregon.

A representative from the Port of Portland also highlighted the state’s growing infrastructure in ports, airports, and wind and hydropower projects, along with its commitment to reduce coal-fired electricity and expand renewable energy. “We look forward to welcoming a Vietnamese delegation to explore collaboration in natural resource management, energy, and climate adaptation,” the representative said.

Mr. Daniel Nguyen highlighted Oregon’s strategic location, diverse agriculture, and seed production as strong foundations for bilateral cooperation with Vietnam

Oregon also expressed interest in expanding research cooperation and knowledge sharing in areas of mutual interest, particularly science, technology, and applied agriculture. Dr. Timothy Delbridge of Oregon State University noted: “Oregon State University is among the leading institutions in science and technology in the U.S. and has established numerous collaborations with research institutes in Vietnam. We plan to organize additional joint workshops and research projects. Recently, the university received funding for an artificial intelligence project in agriculture, creating opportunities for Vietnamese scientists to participate directly. We also aim to launch student exchange programs with Vietnam to strengthen educational and research cooperation between our countries.”

Strengthening disaster management capacity

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang urged Mr. Daniel Nguyen and the delegation members, in their official capacities, to continue supporting the collaboration between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the state of Oregon.

He outlined three priority areas for strengthening disaster management in Vietnam. First, he emphasized the importance of enhancing the national disaster management system by applying, implementing, and operating part or all of the U.S. Incident Command System.

Second, he proposed the development of commune-level disaster risk maps, coupled with the training of local rapid response teams to improve preparedness and response capacity at the community level.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang and the Oregon delegation took for a photo after their meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

Third, he highlighted the need to connect with global organizations and experts to establish a global practice community in disaster management, fostering knowledge exchange and best practices internationally.

Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang expressed confidence that the Oregon State House delegation’s visit would further elevate agricultural and environmental cooperation between Vietnam and Oregon, fully realizing the potential of bilateral collaboration.

The meeting with the Oregon State House delegation at the headquarters of Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reaffirmed Vietnam’s efforts to promote bilateral cooperation in sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Earlier, in June 2025, the Ministry’s delegation accompanied the Vietnamese Government to the United States, participating in trade promotion activities and signing key cooperation agreements.

These initiatives focused on boosting U.S. agricultural imports, creating strategic collaboration opportunities, enhancing agricultural supply chains, and reinforcing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States. The meeting with the Oregon delegation further extended this cooperation, providing a platform to exchange expertise, promote investment, advance green agriculture, and strengthen natural resource management and climate adaptation efforts.

Khanh Linh - Ngoc Huyen