Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 27 for US Ambassador David B. Shear who came to say goodbye at the end of his tenure in Vietnam.

Minister Thanh highlighted the extensive Vietnam-US ties and congratulated the ambassador on fulfilling his tasks in the country.

He noted that both nations have set up a comprehensive partnership and bolstered bilateral defence ties through sharing experience on participating in the peacekeeping forces of the United Nations, working together in humanitarian aids, coping with natural calamities, and securing marine safety.

The outcomes were contributed by the ambassador, Minister Thanh said, adding that he hopes the diplomat will continue his support to move the Vietnam-US relations forward.

Ambassador B. Shear suggested both sides increase high-level delegation exchanges in the future and implement effectively the signed memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence ties as well as push ahead to surmount the war aftermaths in Vietnam.

Vietnam and the US normalised their relations in 1995. The two countries set up a comprehensive partnership in July 2013.

Their two-way trade hit 24 billion USD in 2012-2013.-VNA