There is ample scope for Vietnam and the US to lift their relations to an even higher level in the future, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh remarked at a ceremony to celebrate the 239th anniversary of the US’ Independence Day and the 20th anniversary of the normalisation of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties.

Deputy PM Minh expressed his joy at the significant progress made in bilateral relations in all fields, benefitting the two countries and contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius honourably welcomed former US President Bill Clinton to the event, praising the role played by the former President in turning over a new leaf in the Vietnam-US relations 20 years ago.

He said he hoped the bilateral relations would continue to be strengthened in the coming time.

Speaking at the ceremony held by the US Embassy in Hanoi, Bill Clinton spoke highly of the ties between his country and Vietnam over the course of two decades, highlighting their remarkable cooperation results in education, the economy and trade.

He expressed his desire for the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership to be stepped up further in future.

On the occasion of the 20 th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic ties between the two nations, the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City launched a presentation competition on the topic of US-Vietnam relations.

The contest calls upon Vietnamese students aged 15-22 who live in Vietnam to submit their presentations online via http://goo.gl/CAkzue before July 15.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US reached 35 billion USD in 2014, up from about 500 million USD in 1995. Vietnam is the leading exporter to the US within ASEAN.-VNA