Vietnam’s level of development, its co-operation and friendly relations over the last few years have benefited both countries and contributed to ensuring peace and stability in Southeast Asia and East Asia, Phung said

Senator Webb, who is Chairman of the East Asia & Pacific Affairs Sub-committee, part of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that relations between Vietnam and the US offer many opportunities for joint-working, economic development, cultural exchanges and maintaining a balance in the region.

In his speech, Vietnam’s former Minister of Trade, Truong Dinh Tuyen, who was previously in charge of Vietnam’s trade negotiations with the US, recalled the milestones in the two countries bilateral relationship since they resumed diplomatic ties in 1995.

Cooperation has been increased in various areas such as science and technology, education, health care, research on climate change, English-language training for Vietnamese military officers and initial steps taken on cooperating in defence, said Tuyen.

He reported on three major breakthroughs that have accelerated Vietnam’s economic reforms, while integrating with other regional and global economies, including forming common economic institutions and creating a healthier competitive environment for various economic sectors and administrative reforms, while developing the country’s human resources and upgrading its infrastructure.

A representative from the US Department of State, Yoe Yun underlined Vietnam’s role at regional and international forums, including the East Asian Summit (EAS) as well as cooperation between the US and Vietnam and other countries in the Mekong Lower Basin Committee, originally initiated by the US.

The US and Vietnam have held regular talks on other issues relating to democracy and human rights, according to the US official.

Vietnam’s first ambassador to the US, Le Van Bang reviewed milestones in Vietnam-US relationship since early 1990s and called on the US to continue its support for Vietnam and its sovereignty.

Also at the workshop, Tami Overby, Deputy Head of the US Business Council for Asia, said that US businesses were pleased with Vietnam’s role within the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, describing it as evidence of Vietnam increasingly opening up to integrate deeper into the global economy.