(VNF) - Don Tuan Phong, Vice President in-charge and General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), met with representatives of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) in Hanoi on December 11^th.

Don Tuan Phong (M), VUFO Vice President in-charge and General Secretary at the meeting.

Phong briefed the U.S. political leaders on Vietnam’s multi-faceted achievements in the advent of Doi Moi (Renewal), particularly the nation’s efforts to solve the consequences of war and assist Agent Orange (AO) /dioxin victims.

Stressing Vietnam’s policy of putting aside the past and bracing for the future, Phong expressed his hope that ACYPL would reflect the realities they experienced in Vietnam.

Phong urged the ACYPL to strengthen its ties with the VUFO and the Vietnam-U.S. Society. He suggested the Council promote visit exchange to boost mutual understanding between Vietnamese and American peoples, particularly among young generations in order to lift up Vietnam-U.S. ties.

At the meeting at the headquarters of the VUFO.

Representing ACYPL, Nily Rozic, Assemblywoman of the New York State, said the ACYPL includes young politicians and bussinessmen from different political parties. The Council will act as a bridge linking U.S. organisations with the VUFO and promoting people-to-people exchange, she noted.

The members of the delegation also raised many questions with the leaders of VUFO about the situations of the country and its people, and the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. They expressed their hope that in the future, there will be more activities to promote the relationship between the two countries.

The ACYPL delegation including seven members, which is staying in Vietnam between December 9^th -15^th to learn about the country’s history, culture, political system, socio-economic situation and foreign policy. In Hanoi, the ACYPL delegation visited the Vietnam Friendship Village, Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam; saw the water puppet show in Thang Long Water Puppet Theater; met the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hanoi People's Committee, and Women's Union Vietnam, etc. Then delegation will visit Ho Chi Minh City and Tien Giang after leaving Hanoi.

Delegates pose for a group photo.

The Vietnam–U.S. Association established ties with the American Council of Young Political Leaders in 1996. One year later, a delegation of the association visited the U.S. for the first time and then welcomed a delegation of the council to Vietnam in 1997, with a view to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between peoples of the two countries.

Since then, the two sides have maintained the regular exchange of delegations.

Established in 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders aims to increase delegation exchanges among youngsters around the world, offering potential politicians a chance to discuss their ideas on a future world.

It also serves as a channel for Vietnam to build a social network in the U.S., thereby calling on the U.S. citizens, especially up-and-coming leaders to support Vietnam and the Vietnam–U.S. relations./.

Phuong Minh