Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Good evening,
Excellencies, Distinguished guests, friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honor to meet you all here tonight and I would like to thank Baker & McKenzie for taking the initiative and hosting us. As you know, Baker & McKenzie is one of the most high-profile international law firms in Vietnam and has been involved with our country for quite some time. My special thanks go to Ms.Liz Nightigale and her colleagues. You’ve done a wonderful job. I can’t thank you enough.

I’m privileged to be appointed the ambassador of Vietnam to the U.S. at such a great time. The relationship between Vietnam and the U.S. has been improving in a way that nobody could imagine just a few years ago, not to say 16 years back when the two countries normalized diplomatic relations. The presence of all of you here today is a vivid demonstration of our expanded relations in all areas.

Our political, security and defense ties are growing on a solid basis with regular senior level dialogues and exchanges. Bilateral cooperation on science and technology, education, health and climate change is expanding through institutionalized mechanisms. The number of Vietnamese students in the US has reached 13,000, bringing Vietnam to the top of ASEAN countries in sending students to the U.S. Vietnam and the U.S. are also working closely on non-proliferation, counter terrorism as well as humanitarian issues.

In the region, we share strategic interests in consolidating the ASEAN and boosting its role in Asia-Pacific in the joint effort to shape regional architectures that help ensure peace,security and development in the Asia-Pacific region. Last year, Vietnam, as the ASEAN Chair, strongly supported U.S. membership in the EAS and worked effectively with the U.S. at other regional forums and initiative including the ARF, APEC, ADMM+ and LMI. Later this year, together with other EAS member states, we welcome President Obama to join the Summit.

Now I want to touch upon one of the most notable features in our bilateral relations, that is economic and trade ties. Our two-way trade volume increased over 30 folds in the last 16years to reach almost 19 billion USD in 2010. The US is now the biggest market for Vietnamese products and one of the top ten biggest foreign investors in Vietnam. The recent recession has not be able to prevent our two countries from expanding our trade relations and trade liberalization. In addition to that, both Vietnam and U.S are now on the same TPP boat
(The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement). Many of you are aware that significant progress has been made in the last 6 rounds of negotiations, and Vietnam will do its best to make the 7th round in Ho Chi Minh City a successful one. With active participation of all our TPP partners several representatives of whom are kindly present here today, we believe it will contribute to reaching “broad outlines of agreement” by the APEC Summit in November.

Notwithstanding the progress and opportunities, I am well aware of the enormous task ahead. There is desire on both sides to take our relationship to a new height, and we are exploring the best ways to achieve this aim for our mutual benefits as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region. I can say that the process has begun for some time as mentioned earlier and accelerated in the past few months.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I strongly believe in the bright future of the friendship and partnership between our two countries. As the ambassador of Vietnam to the U.S., I am committed my whole tenure to that future. I look forward to working with you and will seek you support for a stronger and more mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries.

Thank you very much and enjoy the rest of the evening./.