Speaking at the reception, vice chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Tat Thanh Cang highlighted the expansion of Vietnam and U.S relations, particularly the bilateral comprehensive partnership, which was established in July 2013. 

 
"We are delighted at our contribute to the relation normalisation between the two countries as well as their comprehensive partnership," said Cang.

The US is one of the biggest investors in Vietnam and the biggest export market of HCM City, he said.

To date, the U.S has more than  300 projects in HCM City with a total registered capital of more than US$544 million.

The upcoming establishment of Fulbright University in the city is expected to create more cooperation opportunities in workforce training.

The cooperation between the city and San Francisco as well as California is a vivid evidence for effective cooperation between the two nations.

The city will continue to strengthen the cooperation with U.S partners in various fields and contribute to the opening of a new chapter in the relationship between the two nations.

The city would implement the State's foreign affair policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification under the principle: "Vietnam is a reliable friend and partner of all countries and a responsible member of the international community," he said.

Rena Bitter, U.S Consul General in the city expressed her thanks to the city's leaders for the reception.

As part of activities to mark 20 years of relations between the two nations, Vietnamese leaders would pay a visit to the U.S, she said.

She believes the two countries will further develop their long-standing cooperation in all aspects.