April 29, 2025
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Donald Trump,
American workers and taxpayers should not have to pay for Hanoi’s so-called bamboo diplomacy. As Vietnamese American organizations, we write to express our perspective on the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, the end of the Vietnam War and the future of US-Vietnam relations.
We believe the communist regime in Vietnam continues to exploit its strategic partnership with the United States for economic and diplomatic gain—while at the same time promoting anti-American narratives in state-controlled media, especially regarding the war’s legacy. This approach not only deeply wounds the Vietnamese American community but also dishonors the 58,000 American servicemen and women who gave their lives for the cause of freedom in Vietnam.
Despite growing trade ties with the United States, Vietnam remains economically and politically entangled with China. Because of the choices of the Hanoi regime, Vietnam runs a significant trade deficit with China while enjoying a surplus with the U.S.—a reflection of where its true economic and strategic orientation lies. We believe Vietnam must demonstrate greater independence from China if it genuinely seeks to be a reliable trading partner of the United States.
We support the reported decision by U.S. officials not to attend the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s April 30th commemorative events. The inclusion of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the military parade is not only deeply offensive to Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese communities around the world, but also an unmistakable signal that Hanoi continues to prioritize its alliance with China.
Hanoi and Beijing further cemented their ties during Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam earlier this month. They signed dozens of agreements, including the planned construction of railways tightly connecting China to Vietnam. Being tethered to China’s One Belt One Road would be an economic and strategic calamity for the Vietnamese people. This infrastructure would also make Vietnam a further back door for China to export its goods and undermine U.S. trade policy.
As Vietnamese Americans—many of whom fled communism and now contribute proudly to American society—we hold democracy and human rights as sacred values. We believe that a strong relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam must be built not only on shared economic goals, but on mutual respect for freedom, human dignity, and open societies.
We know, Mr. President, that you have always stood for strong, fair, and America-first diplomacy. Our community stands ready to support policies that ensure the United States remains strong, respected, and principled in its relationships, particularly with nations that continue to struggle with the very freedoms we cherish.
Sincerely,
Alliance for Democracy in Vietnam
Minh Phat Le, Chairman of the Advisory Board
Alliance for Democracy in Vietnam in Boston
An Tran, Chapter Representative
Association of Former Prisoners of Ai Tu and Binh Đien
Hoa Thai, Chairman
Association of Former Reserve Officer Cadets of RVN Army of Boston
Phuc Nguyen, President
Association of Former RVN Artillery Officers – Houston Chapter
Sanh Le, Chairman
Association of Former RVN Military Cadets – Houston Chapter
Duc H Le, Chairman
Association of Former RVN National Police Officers
Ngon Nguyen, President
Association of Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners – Greater Bay Area
Thanh Tran, Vice President
Association of Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners – Houston
Thuc Nguyen, Chairman
Association of Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners of Stockton, CA
Linh Duy Vo, President
Boston Buddhist Temple
Ro Pham, Temple Representative
Boston Vietnamese Lay Catholic Movement
Lai Tu My, President
Central Coordination RVN Armed Forces in Southwestern USA
Richard Bui Jr., Chief of Officer
Coalition of Vietnamese Americans Against Communism
Nhon Ky Phan, Chairman
Gia Dinh Origin Magazine
Lam Phuoc Le, President
Hawaii Benevolence and Love Association
Janet T Kurizaki , Chairwoman
Hawaii Seniors Association
Ann Cathy Clemons, Chairwoman
Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam
Dr. Anh Lan Phuc Nguyen
Justice for Formosa Victims
John-Hòa Nguyễn, President
Quang Tri Homeland Association of Boston
Tan N. Pham, President
Little Saigon San Diego
Su Nguyen, CEO
RVN 84th Air Force Technical Wing
Thanh Le, President
RVN Marine Corps Association – Houston Chapter
Duc Le, Chairman
San Diego King Hùng Shrine Association
Hoach Tran, President
San Diego Vietnamese Heroic History Club
Luc Nguyen, President
Thai Binh Fellow Countrymen Association
Soan Hoang, Chairwoman
TNT Boston Radio
Hoang Ha Le, President
TNT Media Live
Binh Vo, President
TNT Radio of Sacramento/Stockton
Dr. Nancy Tran, President
TNT Radio of San Jose
Duc Ngo, President
TNT San Diego Radio
Nghia Tran, President
Vietnamese American Community of Hawaii
Hoang Nguyen, President
Vietnamese American Community of Massachusetts
Vinnie Than, President
Vietnamese American Community of Ohio
The Le, President
Vietnamese-American Community of Washington D.C., Maryland & Virginia.
Long Duc Hoang, President
Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation
Nancy Bui, President
Vietnamese American Nurses Association
Huong Dinh, President
Vietnamese Community of Houston & Vicinities
Dr. Cuong V Chu, President
Vietnamese Community of San Diego
Kim-Trang Dang, President
Vietnamese Cultural Center of Seattle
Lee Ducly Bui, Director
Vietnamese Refugee Community of Los Angeles County
Long Nguyen, President
Vietnamese Seniors Association in San Joaquin County, CA
Em Nguyen, President
Viet Tan
Duy Hoang, Executive Director
