Seminar on 30 years of Vietnam-US relations: The role of public-private partnership

Tọa đàm 30 năm quan hệ Việt Nam-Hoa Kỳ: Vai trò của hợp tác công-tư

Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung speaks at the seminar "30 years of Vietnam-US relations: The role of public-private partnership".

The event is part of a series of outstanding activities to celebrate 30 years of relations between the two countries in 2025.

The seminar was attended by more than 100 delegates, including former Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Pham Quang Vinh (2014-2018), US Ambassadors to Vietnam through the periods: Michael Michalak (2007-2011), Ted Osius (2014-2017), Daniel Kritenbrink (2017-2021), Marc Knapper (2022-present), Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Herrup, leaders of leading US businesses (Boeing, Intel, Citi, Lockheed Martin, Nike...), overseas Vietnamese businesses in the US and experts and scholars of US educational institutions.

In his opening remarks at the Dialogue, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung reviewed and assessed the extremely important and consistent role of businesses of the two countries in the development of Vietnam-US relations, from before the normalization in 1995 to the present when the two countries have become Comprehensive Strategic Partners. Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung noted that even when Vietnam was still under embargo, many US businesses had explored the market, laying the foundation for bilateral economic cooperation.

After the normalization of relations, major US corporations continued to expand their operations in Vietnam, making practical contributions to infrastructure development, human resources and institutional reform. According to the Ambassador, the business community is not only a living testament to the normalization process, but also a driving force to maintain sustainable ties, contributing to strengthening trust and bilateral relations, even in politically challenging times.

According to Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung, the business community is the driving force to maintain sustainable ties, contributing to strengthening trust and Vietnam-US relations.

Currently, US corporations continue to invest heavily in Vietnam, while more and more Vietnamese enterprises are promoting investment in the United States. Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasized the importance of maintaining favorable conditions for the private sectors of the two countries to continue to promote their roles and strengths accumulated over the past three decades, thereby making practical contributions to the sustainable and in-depth development of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new period.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the United States Andrew Herrup emphasized that the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is not only led by the government but also promoted by the business community and people of the two countries. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is the foundation for expanding people-to-people connections, promoting educational cooperation, strengthening security and enhancing economic cooperation.

Mr. Andrew Herrup noted that Vietnam is the 9th largest trading partner of the United States, the country with the largest number of international students in the US in ASEAN, and welcomed cooperation initiatives on AI, digital transformation and education of American businesses in Vietnam. In the context of Vietnam's strong transformation, Mr. Herrup expects American businesses to continue to accompany Vietnam in areas such as AI, digital transformation, energy and infrastructure, contributing to promoting growth and common prosperity.

The seminar consisted of two discussion sessions, focusing on reviewing important milestones in bilateral relations and the role of the private sector; at the same time, proposing proposals to improve the quality of human resources, promote digital transformation and raise Vietnam's position in the global supply chain. US Ambassadors of all periods expressed their support for General Secretary To Lam's vision of raising Vietnam's position and value in the global supply chain through research and development, innovation and digital transformation.

Scholars and businesses such as Intel, Boeing, Lockheed Martin highly appreciate Vietnam's potential with a young, highly skilled workforce and a development orientation towards high technology such as AI and quantum. Delegates believe that Vietnam has the potential to lead the next chapter of Asia, and American businesses want to be part of that journey, especially in promoting the cooperation framework of the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership.

Some pictures at the ceremony: