The US official hosted at a press briefing in Ho Chi Minh City on April 6.

He said this was the first time that the US Department of Commerce led a mission of representatives from 56 universities, colleges, English-language institutes to a number of countries and Vietnam was the mission’s second leg.

Sanchez said that the US saw a great demand for education and training in Vietnam and US education organisations were always ready to team up with Vietnamese partners.

He also stated that the two countries have many areas for their cooperation and that the US Government expects the two countries’ two-way trade turnover will double in the coming time from US$19 billion recorded in 2010.

Sanchez said the US wishes to partner with Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest economic centre, in education and training, infrastructure development, airport construction and services.

Also on April 6, the US UnderSecretary met with Deputy Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Le Minh Tri.

Tri said that cooperation in trade and investment between the US and Ho Chi Minh City developed markedly and effectively and affirmed to create favourable conditions for foreign investors, including US businessmen to the city, especially those with financial capacity and advanced technology.

During the visit from April 5-8, Sanchez and his mission attended an education exhibition in HCM City on April 6 and another similar event in Hanoi on April 8.