US Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse is leading the first-ever agricultural trade mission to Vietnam from Sept. 26- 29, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The mision will visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to promote US agricultural exports to Vietnam.

"Vietnam is one of the world's fastest-growing economies and an important market for US agricultural products. Two-way agricultural, fish and forestry trade with Vietnam reached nearly 3.4 billion USD in 2010", the USDA said in its Sept. 26 press release.

Fifteen U.S. companies representing a wide range of food and agricultural products are taking part in the mission. They are scheduled to meet with nearly 150 Vietnamese producers, importers, buyers, distributors, and investors to develop trade relationships.

While in Vietnam , Acting Under Secretary Scuse planed to meet with Vietnamese government and agricultural officials, US agribusiness, and visit agricultural production and development sites. He will also participate in the opening of the USA Pavilion at Food and Hotel Vietnam (FHV) - one of Southeast Asia's premier food trade shows.

He said: "Since 2006, no other major US agricultural export market has grown as quickly as Vietnam. This is a significant and growing market for US producers and a driver for the American economy, helping to support more than 28,000 jobs here in the United States through exports of American products."./.