Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan (R) shakes hands with Chairwoman of the House of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Kim Young at the reception. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on January 26 hosted a reception for Chairwoman of the House of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Kim Young, who is leading a US congressional delegation to pay a working visit to the city. Highlighting the Vietnamese Party and State’s stance on the issues of the US guests’ interest, Hoan affirmed that Vietnam always cares for, protects and promotes human rights, and pust the people in the centre of its policies.
He expressed his hope that the US will support Vietnam’s ethnic and religious policies, helping further develop the Vietnam – US cooperative relations.
He went on to spotlight that the amount of remittance to HCM City in 2023 surged 40% year-on-year to 9.5 billion USD, describing it as a vivid illustration for the overseas Vietnamese’ confidence in the country’s business climate and strong solidarity among the Vietnamese nationals.
As Vietnam and the US have put aside the past, overcome differences, promoted similarities and moved into the future, Vietnam expects enhanced cooperation with the US to expand of the search and repatriation of the remains of soldiers of both sides, support Agent Orange/Dioxin victims, and clean up the dioxin-contaminated land.
The HCM City leader said the city is moving towards green growth and sustainable development in line with the global trend, strengthening cooperation with partners in the areas of semiconductor and integrated circus production as well as enhance connectivity in seaport development, adding the city wants to join hands with US sides for mutual development.
Admitting the challenges that Vietnam has to overcome to concretise the cooperation agreements between the two countries after they elevated the relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, including human resources quality and infrastructure, Hoan said HCM City hopes to receive consultation from the US to build incentives to lure more investment within its authority.
Young Kim and other members of the delegation spoke highly of HCM City’s dynamic growth, and said the US wants to enhance collaboration with the city in hi-tech development, logistics and diversification of energy sector.
They affirmed that they are always interested in and ready to assist Vietnam to settle post-war consequences and reconciliation, especially in dioxin detoxification.
The delegation plans to visit the War Remnants Museum in HCM City and survey the dioxin cleanup project at Bien Hoa airport in Dong Nai province./.
VNA