US businesses will have an opportunity to explore trade opportunities and develop contacts during a Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) mission to Vietnam from May 7-15.

According to the MTO, an office of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, during the week-long stay in Vietnam, US businesses will have access to marketing and government briefings, site visits, customized business matchmaking, industry-trade show visits, and networking receptions.

The MTO believes the trade mission would gain achievements as U.S. export sales to Vietnam grew more than 11 percent in 2009, and are now more than 3.1 billion USD. It attributed the increase in part to the Vietnamese government's efforts to improve infrastructure and develop the country's manufacturing sector.

In 2009, the MTO hosted 75 visiting international delegations and organized four trade missions to increase Minnesota state export sales in foreign markets. This is the first time the MTO arrange a trade mission to Vietnam./.