Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam-USFriendship Association in Hanoi held its fifth congress in the capital city onSeptember 9, putting forth a range of measures to improve its operational efficiencyduring 2017-2022.

Accordingly, the association will focuson strengthening the organisation and operation of its executive board and chapters,along with increasing communications work as well as cultural and artisticexchanges.

The association will coordinate with US partnersto organise activities marking major events of the two countries and strengthenits ties with the US Embassy in Vietnam.

At the same time, the association willteam up with relevant municipal departments and agencies to help Hanoiauthorities select suitable US cities to expand friendly ties and economiclinks.

Other tasks set for the association inthe new tenure include promoting Hanoi’s potential and investmentopportunities, and seeking US donations for social and humanitarian projects inthe city.

Addressing the congress, MollyStephenson, Counsellor for Public Relations atthe US Embassy, applauded the association’s efforts in promoting relationsbetween Vietnam and the US and their people.

She highlighted theincreasing number of Vietnamese students in the US, from 800 in 1995 to 31,000at present, saying that it demonstrates the fruitful relationship between thetwo countries.

The congress elected a27-member executive board for the 2017-2022 term headed by Nguyen Hong Son, Directorof the Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic Studies.

Established on May 21,1996, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association in Hanoi has 19 chapters with 2,000members. -VNA