The ceremony attended by Vietnamese delegates includes: Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam; Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Phuong Nga; Vice President Phan Anh Son, representatives of leaders of ministries, departments, organizations at the central level of Hanoi city; former Vietnamese Ambassadors to the United States; a large number of scholars, researchers, and representatives of Vietnamese businesses cooperating with the United States.
The US side attending the ceremony were: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink, representatives of US non-governmental organizations; representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce and American businesses in Vietnam.
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| President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Phuong Nga delivered a speech to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam-US diplomatic relations. |
Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Phuong Nga said that the event that US President Bill Clinton and Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet officially announced the normalization and establishment of diplomatic relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United States of America starting the "journey of healing and building" as President Bill Clinton said. 25-year journey is not a long time in history but thanks to the braveness, goodwill and efforts of the two countries' leaders and people, the bilateral relationship has made great progress in all fields for Vietnam and the US to become trusted friends and comprehensive partners.
According to the VUFO President, although the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States were officially established in 1995, two countries' people have had special relations and connections from many years earlier since the last years of World War II when the Vietnamese people joined the US and other allies in the anti-fascist general front. Only 45 days after Vietnam declared its independence, on October 17, 1945, did President Ho Chi Minh decide to establish the Vietnam- US Friendship Association (the precursor of today's Vietnam- US Society), the first bilateral friendship of the Vietnamese people with another country's people, and 2020 is also the year to celebrate the 75th birthday of the Vietnam-US Society.
The VUFO President said that: “I have strongly believed that, on the basis of the great achievements gained over the past years, with the efforts and determination of both sides and consent and support of our two peoples, the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States will constantly develop in depth and width, meeting the interests and aspirations of our two peoples, and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world ".
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| The US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink delivers a speech at the celebration. |
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink affirmed that the bilateral cooperation between the United States and Vietnam was very impressive in both the breadth and depth . The two countries are working closely on everything from security and trade, education and war legacy issues, to energy and health. The United States is Vietnam's largest export market, while Vietnam is the US's fastest growing export market in the world.
“Some people have said the success of the US-Vietnam relationship over the past 25 years is a "miracle". Nearly three years ago, I had a conversation in my home with the first US Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Pete Peteson. I will never forget what Ambassador Peterson told me, that our shared progress is indeed remarkable, but it was not a miracle nor accident. The thriving partnership and friendhship we enjoying today is the result of the courage, goodwill, and painstaking work of dedicated people in both countries, who believe fervently in the posibility of peace and reconciliation.”- The Ambassador shared.
The year 2020 presents a huge challenges of a global pandemic. Despite these faced challenges, according to Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink, this is also a hopeful time, because the United States and Vietnam have come together, support each other in coping with the unprecedented pandemic.
The Ambassador also expressed his wish that the Vietnam-US bilateral relationship continued developing and remaining strong and resilient for the next 25 years and beyond.
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| Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam delivered a speech at the ceremony. |
Giving a speech at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized that the normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States was an important decision of the two countries' senior leaders to end a difficult period and open a promising new stage. The Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership is grounded in mutual interests and respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political system...Bilateral trade turnover has increased by 170 times since 1995, reaching nearly 80 billion USD. People-to-people exchange is increasingly dynamic, with millions of visits annually.
"Cooperation have achieved fruitful results, particularly programs focusing on humanitarian and war legacy matters. This is a crucial fondation in cultivating trust, good faith and lasting friendship between our two countries", the Deputy Prime Minister said.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Vietnam consistently upholds the foreign policy of independence, self- reliance, diversification and multilateralization. Vietnam always consider the US one of the most important partners in its foreign policy. In 2020, when Vietnam assumes the role of ASEAN Chairmanship and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, the two sides have worked closely on issues of mutual interest at the regional and international forums. In the context of the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam and the United States continue to work closely with the international community, both in combating Covid-19 and in resolving other emerging global challenges.
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| The delegates raised their glasses to congratulate the celebration. |
On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam expressed his sincere gratitude to such invaluable support and contributions made by generations of leaders, politicians, organizations and individuals, and friends from Vietnam and the United States. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that: Vietnam shall make every effort alongside the US to expand and deepen two countries' Comprehensive Partnership, and even more practical and effective contribution to two sides' development, and to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
Some other photos of the celebration:
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| Delegates in the two countries' flag raising ceremony |
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| A large number of Vietnamese and US scholars, researchers, and representatives of businesses attending the celebration. |
