Vietnam recently held an exchange programme entitled “Meet Vietnam in San Francisco, California, the US. The event was raised by the Overseas Vietnamese community in the US and by foreign friends. A VOV correspondent in the US interviewed Le Quoc Hung, Vietnam’s Counsellor General in San Francisco, about the event’s outcomes.
Reporter: What is your assessment of the “Meet Vietnam 2009" programme, which was held in California for the first time?
Le Quoc Hung: The event was more successful than we expected. The programme was of great political significance and received due attention from Overseas Vietnamese people in the US. During the event, we also held two seminars on trade promotion and education, which drew a large number of people. This has demonstrated that many foreigners have an interest in Vietnam’s investment environment and education sector. Many of the participants were also keen to invest in building universities in Vietnam to the standard of developed countries. In addition, we also held a concert and an exhibition to present Vietnam’s traditional culture.
Reporter: During the event, how was Vietnam’s land and people portrayed to international friends?
Le Quoc Hung: We held exhibitions of water puppetry, paintings and photographs about Vietnam’s land and people. Various cultural activities were also held in the western part of the US, which left a deep impression on Overseas Vietnamese people as well as American friends as it gave them an idea of Vietnam during its development and renovation process.
Reporter: The programme aimed to provide updated information to Vietnamese nationals in the US and help foreign investors to understand more about Vietnam’s potential. What should we do to capitalise on the event’s success?
Le Quoc Hung: This was the first time we have held this kind of activity in the US. Previously, we had only organised small scale events separately. To make the most of the programme, it is essential we get support from the relevant ministries and agencies so that we can introduce Vietnam to other states in the US and attract more US investors. Furthermore, we will continue to implement agreements signed during this event. It is also necessary for our ministries and agencies to play an active role in ensuring these newly signed agreements are carried out properly.
“Meet Vietnam 2009” achieved a lot of success and opened a new chapter in cooperation between Vietnam and California. It will also help to enforce the State’s policies on national reconciliation. The event also created a good chance for us to organise larger events in the US to promote solidarity amongst Vietnamese nationals in California, especially in the western states.
Reporter: Thank you.