Hanoi
The 5th meeting of Vietnam – US Friendship Association of Hanoi
On September 9 in Hanoi, the Vietnam – US Friendship Association has held the 5th meeting for the period 2017-2022 with the attendance of the Chairwoman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) Nguyen Lan Huong.
At the meeting, representatives were briefed on the performance report of the Vietnam – US Friendship Association of Hanoi session IV for the period of 2012-2017 and the direction for session V for the period of 2017-2022. As such, in the last 5 years, depsite the difficulties of the global political – economic situation, the bilateral relationship between Vietnam – US has progressed significantly, which is more practical and comprehensive. In this context, based on the previous achievements, the Steering Committee of the Vietnam – US Friendship Association of Hanoi had consistenly conducted many measures and achieved positive results.
Leaders of Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Hanoi received awards and flowers.
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The Association has actively carried out annual events and activities, including meetings and information exchange with the US embassy in Vietnam, maintaining good relationship with the Asia Environment Program of the US, organizing talk shows about the current cultural – social conditions of the US, the relationship between Vietnam – US, and the conference calling investment to Vietnam. At the same time, other events in fields of education, training, science and technology, culture, sports were held to promote friendship between Vietnamese citizens with other countries in general and with the US citizens in particular. It is aimed to promote the image of the country and people of Hanoi to the US citizens.
Counselor of Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Vietnam Mrs. Molly Stephenson gave a speech at the meeting.
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In the next term, the Association will continue solifidy and expand its activities in refining the organizational structure and increase the quality of activities. On the other hand, the Association will increase cooperation and meetings between the Association and other organizations in the US, at the same time maintaining the close relationship with the US Embassy in Vietnam. Besides, the Association will cooperate with Hanoi’s related agencies in to propose to Hanoi People’s Committee in selecting some cities in the US to cooperate for economic development and friendship promotion; introduce to the US cities on the potential and investment opportunities in Hanoi.
Attending the meeting, the Counselor for Public Affairs at US Embassy in Vietnam, Mrs. Molly Stephenson stated, it is an important event to evaluate previous performances and set up strategies for the next 5 years. The US wants to improve the bilateral relationship with Vietnam, in turn increase chance for Vietnameses’ young generation to study in the US. It is a significant opportunity for them to be equipped with necessary skill sets and knowledge to survive in an increasing competitive market and globalization. With this being said, current challenges require the cooperation of countries to create high quality labor forces. Therefore, the US looks forward to supporting Vietnam in improving the education system and offering the Vietnamese student chance to study in the US. In 1995, Vietnam only has 800 students studying in the US, but at present, the number has increased to 31,000 students at every study level. As such, Vietnam is one of the top 5 countries with the most students stuyding in the US. Mrs. Molly said the US Embassy will encourage and support Vietnamese students to look for chance stuyding in the US.
The new Steering Committee.
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The Chairman of HUFO Nguyen Lan Huong highly regarded the achievements of Vietnam – US Friendship Association in previous years. In the coming time, Mrs. Huong proposed the Association to solidify its current partnership, while expanding the searching effort for others in the state of Washington and other states in the US. At the same time, the Association needs to increase effort in calling for people to join the Association, attracting the participation of young generation, working staffs at US enterprises in Hanoi and Vietnamese students in the US to create a foundation for sustainable development. Mrs. Huong convinced with the leadership of the new Steering Committee, the Vietnam – US Friendship Association of Hanoi will achieve more positive results, in turn contributes to the development and people’s diplomacy.
At the meeting, representatives have voted for the new Steering committee for session V in the period of 2017-2022 with 27 members, while Mr. Nguyen Hong Son will continue being the Chairman of the Vietnam – US Friendship Association of Hanoi. 
