At the ceremony, Mr. Pham Thanh Kien, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam – U.S. Friendship Association, stated that the progress in people-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam and the United States is the result of sustained efforts to foster and elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This partnership aims toward the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States in 2025. U.S. President Joe Biden remarked that upgrading relations between Vietnam and the United States is only the first step toward the future of their bilateral relationship.

In recent years, Vietnam and the United States have actively implemented numerous effective cooperation activities in education development, student exchange, and environmental protection. The two countries have undertaken joint projects to build resilience for coastal mangrove ecosystems, strengthen the Partnership in the Mekong Delta, and promote collaboration within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership. These projects not only enhance cooperation between the people of both countries but also create meaningful contributions for the future.

On this occasion, Mr. Pham Thanh Kien expressed his gratitude to U.S. officials, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and the American people for their positive contributions in deepening bilateral relations and in people-to-people exchanges, thereby helping to strengthen and enhance the friendship between the people of Vietnam, particularly those in Ho Chi Minh City, and the people of the United States.

At the gathering, Ms. Susan Burns, U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed her pleasure in seeing that, since the elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, U.S.-Vietnam bilateral cooperation has expanded across many fields, bringing benefits to the people of both countries. Cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, law enforcement, healthcare, veteran exchanges, and education is built on a foundation of mutual understanding, trust, and friendship between the people of both nations.

Thanking the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations for its dedicated efforts in deepening the friendship between the two countries over the past three decades, Ms. Susan Burns emphasized that in 2025, both nations will continue to strengthen diplomatic relations with numerous commemorative activities. She also expressed a desire for initiatives that further enhance the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries in fields such as science and technology, education, human resource development, and creating opportunities for people-to-people exchanges.

Attending the meaningful gathering to commemorate a significant milestone in U.S.-Vietnam relations, Mr. Rafik Mansour, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, reiterated President Joe Biden’s statement that the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects important progress between the two nations. Through this partnership, the two countries have focused not only on economic cooperation but also on enhancing opportunities for joint innovation.