Enticing Passion for Vietnam
	Vietnam Celebrates Year of the Snake with Vibrant Mascots

Celebrating the seventh Tet in Vietnam

If counted precisely, this year marks the seventh time I have experienced Vietnam’s traditional Tet. Twenty years ago, I served as the Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Vietnam (2004-2007), and now, adding the time since I assumed the role of Ambassador, I have celebrated Tet multiple times.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper.

Despite having witnessed many Tet celebrations, I still feel the same excitement each time the holiday arrives. I deeply appreciate the beauty of Tet traditions, the warmth of family and friendships, and the shared joy of the festive season.

Over the years, Vietnam has undergone rapid modernization and development while preserving its timeless traditions. I find this particularly remarkable.

With the arrival of the new spring, both Vietnam and the US stand before many new opportunities. I feel confident and optimistic about our future and the US-Vietnam relations. The factors that bring us together are far greater and more powerful than anything that could divide us. Differences exist between our two nations, everyone understands that even the best of friends can have differences. What binds us together is a steadfast commitment to a brighter, more prosperous, and safer future for both our peoples. We remain committed to never forgetting the past but ensuring that it does not overshadow the future.

Over the past 30 years since the normalization of diplomatic relations, Vietnam has garnered bipartisan support in the US. Throughout these three decades, every US President has visited Vietnam, and the US Congress has continually supported relations with Vietnam. I am highly optimistic that this trend will continue under the next US administration and Congress.

A relationship built on trust and progress

With Vietnam’s remarkable development, I have complete confidence in its future. Our two countries have elevated the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The US has acted swiftly to implement this, demonstrating its strong trust in Vietnam’s future and its growing position on the global stage.

It is not only the US government but also American businesses that recognize Vietnam’s immense potential. The country boasts a highly skilled, well-educated, and ambitious young workforce. The US is eager to invest in education so that Vietnam’s young generation can acquire the necessary skills to thrive in the 21st-century economy.

The efforts that Vietnam is undertaking under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam are crucial. One of the challenges faced by foreign businesses, including American enterprises, when entering Vietnam is the prolonged wait time for business licenses. In today’s fast-moving world, companies need prompt responses regarding investment procedures. If delays persist, investors may shift their focus elsewhere.

On both regional and global levels, Vietnam is an active and responsible member of international organizations, including the United Nations, APEC, ASEAN, and peacekeeping forces. This underscores Vietnam’s growing leadership role. The US views Vietnam as an emerging middle power with the capacity to address major global challenges.

While Vietnam is not a major emitter of greenhouse gases, it is among the five countries most vulnerable to climate change. The US fully supports Vietnam’s green transition efforts. I believe Vietnam can lead by example and inspire other Southeast Asian nations in the transition to renewable energy. This is why the international community has come together to support Vietnam through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The climate crisis is escalating worldwide, and my hometown, Los Angeles, is no exception. The US stands firmly behind Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, to reach this goal, Vietnam must act decisively and expedite its decision-making process.

The US welcomes the Vietnamese government’s approval of the Decree on Direct Power Purchase Agreements. The US diplomatic mission in Vietnam, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has been providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Industry and Trade since 2017 to design, develop, and finalize this mechanism. USAID will continue its collaboration with the Ministry in implementing this newly issued decree. I believe that the approval and timely execution of energy projects, particularly renewable energy initiatives, are crucial. Any delays will impact Vietnam’s climate goals.

Finally, on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, I extend my warmest wishes to the people of Vietnam: Year of the Snake - Wishing Luck, Prosperity, and Peace!

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