U.S. and Vietnam Sign Five‑Year Health Cooperation Pact Under America First Strategy

On September 11, the United States and Vietnam signed a five‑year bilateral Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), advancing a new model of co‑investment in global health.

Through this MOU, the Department of State, working with Congress, will provide $98.75 million in life‑saving global health assistance over the next five years, including $21.385 million in dedicated Global Health Security funding. The support is designed to help Vietnam transition its HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs to full domestic ownership while strengthening the country’s capacity to detect and respond to emerging and re‑emerging infectious disease threats. Vietnam’s annual health expenditure is projected to grow by roughly $10.5 billion during the five‑year period, rising from $23.3 billion to $33.8 billion, positioning the nation to sustain the gains achieved through more than two decades of U.S. assistance.

The partnership aims to deliver measurable results over the next five years. HIV and TB programming will be fully transferred to Vietnamese management, moving the country closer to its epidemic‑control targets through expanded prevention, case finding, and treatment, backed by greater domestic ownership and sustainability. Earlier detection and treatment of tuberculosis will reduce transmission, morbidity, and mortality, while lowering the risk of drug‑resistant TB reaching the United States.

This new phase of U.S.–Vietnam health cooperation builds on the strong foundation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, complementing robust ties in trade, security, and innovation. The America First Global Health Strategy reflects the administration’s commitment to protecting Americans from infectious disease threats, ending cycles of dependency, and building durable, country‑led health systems worldwide.

Broad‑based AFGHS Memoranda of Understanding signed to date represent more than $24.7 billion in new health funding, comprising over $14.6 billion in U.S. assistance alongside more than $10.1 billion in co‑investment from partner countries. As of September 11, the State Department has signed 35 bilateral global health MOUs with nations spanning Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, including Vietnam.

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