Le Dung briefed the mayor on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and the two countries’ bilateral relations after 15 years of normalization, with a focus on economic, trade and investment.

Mr Dung said the Vietnamese government highly values the position and importance of Houston, which has one of the highest economic growth rates in the country.

He also cited the fact that Houston houses leading industrial centres, clinics and renowned universities as well as a large community of Vietnamese, which is one of the reasons that Vietnam chose Houston the location of its Consulate General.

For her part, Ms Parker expressed pleasure at the development of bilateral ties between the two countries and between Vietnam and Texas in particular. She said she is happy to learn that more and more Houston entrepreneurs have tuned their attention to the Vietnamese market.

Annise Parker accepted Mr Dung’s invitation to visit Vietnam.