In a rare move the US House of Representatives has presented the Congressional Record, an official record of the proceedings and debates of Congress, to Viet Nam, marking 20 years of trade ties between the two countries.

Senator Jeff Flake handed over the document to Vietnamese ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Cuong at a recent ceremony celebrating the ties in Washington DC.

President pro tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy and Secretary of State John Kerry witnessed the handover ceremony.   

Given at the request of Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, the official document notes the US’s decision to lift its embargo on February 2, 1994 was a milestone in bilateral relations, paving the way for the full normalisation of diplomatic ties in 1995.

It says US-Viet Nam relations have fared well in various areas over the past two decades, receiving support from both their governments and peoples.

The document also acknowledges the role the two countries’ leaders have played in developing the ties.

Faleomavaega recalled his previous meetings with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, saying he is impressed by Vietnamese leaders’ vision, capability, as well as their contributions to the growing US-Viet Nam ties.

He said he is proud to be part of this historic process and he believes bilateral relations will further develop in the future.

(Source: VOV)