Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Mary Tarnowka affirmed Vietnam-US friendship relation has been well-developed. In 2016, Vietnam-US two-way trade reached US$ 50 billion. US still maintains as the largest export market of Vietnam while Vietnam as the fastest developing market of US export goods. In 2016 alone, US export to Vietnam increased by 43%. Regarding to education, Vietnam ranks 6th out of countries having the greatest number of students studying in the US with over 21, 000 students.
 
In her speech, Mrs. Mary Tarnowka also mentioned Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s recent visit to the USA and the expected US President Donald Trump’s visit to Vietnam in November 2017 in the framework of APEC Summit Week, saying this is a sign that US attaches great importance to relation with Vietnam. Therefore, She reaffirmed that Vietnam-US have been closer than ever, the most important thing is the people to people relation between both countries have strongly developed.

For his part, Mr. Le Thanh Liem stressed: through a long history of ups and downs, Vietnam-US relation has been upgraded to Strategic Partnership, of which HCMC has made positive contributions to this relation through effectively carrying out cooperation activities with the US.
 
On behalf of the city’s leaders, Mr. Liem wished US people and country prosperity and happiness, wished Vietnam – US comprehensive strategic partnership a stronger development in the future.

HCM CITYWEB