State President Nguyen Minh Triet received a delegation of US writers, poets and researchers of Vietnamese culture led by poet Kevin Bowen, Director of the William Joiner Centre under the Massachusetts University in Hanoi on June 1.

The State leader praised and thanked members of the delegation who had joined in numerous activities to support Vietnam during the war.

He said that Vietnam always respects human rights as a lot of its people had scarified their lives for national independence – a foundation for the protection of human rights.

During the 4,000-year-old history, Vietnam ’s 54 nationalities have always united to defend the nation, which is getting more imperative in the current situation when hostile forces are making every effort to sabotage the country, he stressed.

According to President Triet, Vietnam is home to various religions, churches and pagodas which are operating freely under the law.

He expressed his wish that the writers and poets will convey to the US public information on the life in Vietnam and the country’s development they have witnessed during the visit, helping strengthen the mutual understanding between the two peoples.

For their part, the US guests showed their deep sentiments towards Vietnam , saying more and more young American people want to study the Vietnamese culture.

The delegation’s head, poet Kevin, said he was moved when returning as a visitor to Vietnam , where he was a fighter during the war.

Kevin has visited Vietnam for many times after the war and written a number of poems and essays about the dignity and soul of the Vietnamese people. With his contributions, he received the Friendship Order from the Vietnamese State .

Over the past time, the William Joiner Centre has introduced many Vietnamese literary works to the US public, helping gradually portray the current Vietnamese culture and society and create good affections within the American society./.