Marie C. Damour, Consul General of the US in Ho Chi Minh City, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – A meeting was held in Ho Chi MinhCity on July 5 to mark the 246th anniversary of US Independence Day (July 4).
Organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-US FriendshipAssociation, the event reflected the solidarity and friendship between thepeople of the city and the people of the United States.
President of the city’s Vietnam-US Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong said the universal values of independence-freedom-friendshipof the US Declaration of Independence are good values that all countriesagree on, especially the principle that "all human beings are born equal. Everyone has the right to live and the rightto pursue happiness.”
Referring to activities of the association inpromoting people-to-people diplomacy between the two sides, she said that ithas coordinated with Xua va Nay (Past & Present) magazine to publish a book in English titled “200 years of Vietnam-USrelations”, adding that this is a historical and cultural work marking the goodrelationship between the two countries.
Addressing the event, Marie C. Damour, Consul General of theUS in Ho Chi Minh City, highly appreciated the efforts during the past 20 yearsof the city’s Union of FriendshipOrganisations and the Vietnam-US Friendship Association in tightening people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries.
She expressed her wish that in the coming time, Vietnam willcontinue to create favourable conditions for US businesses to invest in diverse fieldssuc🍨h as trade and investment,🍒 education, health care and energy.
The US and Vietnam have a common commitment to peace and security and can work together to overcome challenges and conquer the future as partners, she said./.
As the national economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City wishes to work as a factor contributing to fostering the Vietnam-US relationship, through cooperation at the local level, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen told visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on June 12.
Vietnam considers the US a leading important partner and stands ready to work together with the country to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership in an effective and practical manner, on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions of each other, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has affirmed.
Vietnam is hoping to attract more investment from the US, Europe and major global enterprises under a recently approved strategy on foreign investment cooperation.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have sent congratulations to US President Joe Biden on the 246th Independence Day of the country (July 4, 1776 - 2022).
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
Marie C. Damour, Consul General of the US in Ho Chi Minh City, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) 
