(VNF) – “Students are ambassador of Vietnam to US”, said Ambassador of US, Daniel J.Kritenbrink in a meeting with in-charge Vice President, General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), Don Tuan Phong on May 18.

VUFO Vice President Don Tuan Phong (R) in the meeting with US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink on May 18. (photo: Phi Yen)

At the meeting, Vice President Don Tuan Phong briefed Ambassador Kritenbrink on VUFO’s key mission which is enhancing the solidarity, friendship between the people of Vietnam and those in other countries, as well as closely coordinating with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including over 150 American NGOs.

He noted that in the last few decades, the Vietnamese people have been familiar with Operation Smile, World Vision, PLAN, Veterans for Peace, among many other US NGOs, and lauded these NGOs' contribution to Vietnam’s development, especially in poverty reduction and sustainable development.

According to the Vice President of VUFO, the supports US NGOs have lended for Vietnam have gone beyond the financial and material aspects, but extended to knowledge sharing, technology transfer, which are tremendously valuable for the country’s long-term growth.

At the same time, VUFO also maintains strong connection with various US governmental agencies, the Congress, students’ association, researching institution, religious organizations, etc., to comprehensively reinforce people-to-people’s understandings and solidarity. Various joint projects have been conducted to contribute to this endeavor, as perse as culture-art exchange, delegations exchange, scientific research and particularly the settlement of war legacies (unexploded ordnances, Agent Orange victims, search and repatriation of soldiers' remainings).

The Vice President noted that through the Vietnam – USA Society (VUS), a VUFO's affiliated organization consisting over 1,000 members in 7 cities/provinces, VUFO will continue to carry out more practical activities to nourish the Vietnam – US ties.

He also informed the US Ambassador on VUS's 4^th Congress to be held this year, and invited the Ambassador to attend the significant event.

On the occasion, VUFO's leader expressed his hope to receive further supports from the US Embassy to fully tap on the potential for people-to-people ties enhancement in multi respects, including seeking for new areas, new methods of cooperation, and expanding the network of partners.

Ambassador Kritenbrink affirms his commitment to maintaining effective coordination with VUFO to enhance the Vietnam – US ties (photo: Phi Yen)

Ambassador Kritenbrink, for his part, shared with the leader of VUFO his positive feeling about Vietnam after 5 months of working and living in the country, saying he is strongly impressed by the people's friendliness and optimism.

Furthermore, he expressed his delight at the thriving relations of Vietnam and US in various fields, such as economics, security-defence, culture, education.

He also recalled that two years ago, as US Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, he had the chance to attend the remark by the then-US President Barack Obama in front of over 2,000 Vietnamese people in the National Convention Center in Hanoi (May 2016).

He spoke highly of VUFO’s role in successfully organizing such a significant event, which hugely contributed to the growth of bilateral ties, especially the people-to-people relations.

Returning to Vietnam as an Ambassador, Kritenbrink affirmed his commitment to maintaining close coordination with VUFO, to further strengthen the two countries' friendship.

The ambassador also expressed his gladness at the growing number of Vietnamese students in US while lauding their outstanding performance. He also voiced his willingness to create opportunities to more Vietnamese to study in US, as well as for US students to come to Vietnam.

According to the US diplomat, investing in the youth is of great importance, since students also play the role of ambassadors connecting two countries.

At the meeting, US Ambassador and VUFO Vice President also discussed on plan for the 25^th anniversary of Vietnam-US relations normalization in 2020. In the time to come, the two sides will work together to launch a variety of activities in multi respects to mark this milestone./.

( Phi Yen )