Top leader To Lam hosts newly-accredited U.S. Ambassador

To congratulated Wicks on her appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam, expressing his confidence that the Ambassador would have a successful tenure and make positive contributions to strengthening mutual trust, enhancing mutual understanding, and advancing the Viet Nam–U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Viet Nam always regards the U.S. as one of its foremost strategic partners and wishes to continue working closely with the U.S. to effectively realize the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, equality and mutual benefit, for the practical interests of their peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development, he noted.

The top Vietnamese leader hailed the positive progress in Viet Nam–U.S. relations in recent years, particularly following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He suggested that the two sides continue maintaining all-level delegation exchanges and mutual visits, make full use of existing dialogue mechanisms, and expedite the completion of negotiations and signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade (ART), thereby reinforcing economic, trade and investment ties.

He also called on the two countries to expand cooperation in science and technology, innovation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, education and training, healthcare, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Wicks, for her side, said it is her honor to assume the post of U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam at a time when bilateral relations are developing strongly.

The U.S. attaches great importance to its relationship with Viet Nam, supports a strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Viet Nam, and is committed to working closely with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, localities and partners to effectively carry out high-level agreements and promote collaboration in areas of mutual interest, reiterated the diplomat.

She expressed her admiration for Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements and its growing role and stature in the region and the world.

The diplomat highly appreciated the Vietnamese leader's views on the major orientations and key priorities in Viet Nam–U.S. relations, affirming that they would serve as an important foundation to strengthen mutual understanding, enhance strategic trust, and enhance substantive, stable and long-term bilateral cooperation.

The Ambassador emphasized that the U.S. treasures its relationship with Viet Nam and expects to continue accompanying the country in its new stage of development.

Building a solid foundation of trust between the two countries would provide an important impetus for expanding cooperation across other fields, she noted.

The U.S. would continue supporting and working with Viet Nam in addressing the consequences of war, including dioxin remediation projects, unexploded ordnance clearance, assistance for persons with disabilities, and efforts to search for and identify the remains of Vietnamese soldiers who went missing in action during the war, she underlined.

The diplomat underscored the importance of fostering close coordination at regional and international forums to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and around the world.

The same day, the top leader received the newly accredited ambassadors of Portugal, Iran, Mongolia, and Myanmar, as they presented their credentials, officially beginning their diplomatic missions in Viet Nam./.