An exchange meeting and a photo exhibition marking the 20^th anniversary of Viet Nam-USA diplomatic ties took place on Sunday at Da Nang’s SKY-LINE High-quality Pre and Primary School No 2 at 48 Nguyen Du street.  In attendance was the Chairman of the Viet Nam-US Friendship Association, Mr Nguyen Tam Chien, and some representatives from the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the city’s branch of the Association, Mr Lam Quang Minh, remarked that over recent years Da Nang has actively become involved in boosting the development of the Viet Nam-USA relationship through local foreign affairs and people-to-people exchange activities.  In particular, the city has established friendly relationships with the US cities of Oakland, Pittsburgh and Houston.

Visitors at the exhibition

Chairman Minh added that the USA is now one of the top 5 foreign countries for providing foreign direct investment (FDI) into the city, with a total of 330 million USD.  The city’s total export turnover to the USA reached 220 million USD last year, and imports from the country hit 16 million USD.

In addition, numerous bilateral student and lecturer exchange programmes have been conducted between universities in Da Nang and the USA.  Da Nang has also set up relationships with 68 US non-governmental organisations involving in humanitarian activities and development assistance.

Also at the event, the city’s branch of the Association presented awards for the 10 winners of an online contest to learn about the Viet Nam-USA diplomatic ties over the past two decades.