Vietnam, US promote citizen diplomacy
VOV.VN - The Ho Chi Minh Union of Friendship Organizations held a meeting on July 5 to celebrate the 246th Independence Day of the United States which first occurred back in July 4, 1776, showing solidarity and friendship between municipal citizens and American people.
As part of her speech at the event, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, chairwoman of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, said that on July 4, 1776, the US Congress unanimously approved the Declaration of Independence, thereby separating colonies from Great Britain.
The universal values of independence-freedom-friendship of the US Declaration of Independence represent good values that all countries and politics have agreed on, especially the principle that "all people are born equal, everyone has the right to live, the right to pursue happiness.”
Sharing the results of the numerous activities of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City in promoting people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries, Phuong added that the association has co-operated with Past and Present (Xua va Nay) Magazine to release an English edition titled “200 years of Vietnam-US relations”. This historical and cultural work marks the sound relationship that exists between the two countries.
Marie C. Damour, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed her appreciation for the organization, particularly the Vietnam-US Friendship Association’s efforts to improve citizen diplomacy between the two countries over the past two decades.
She went on to express her wish that, moving forward Vietnam will continue to create favourable conditions for US businesses to invest in diverse fields such as trade and investment, education, healthcare, energy, and climate change adaptation.
The two countries have a common commitment to peace and security, meaning that they can work together to overcome challenges and conquer the future as partners.