Mutual Understanding: The Future of a Stronger, More Comprehensive U.S.-Vietnamese Partnership

On December 14, 2018, Corteva partnered with the Meridian Corporate Council to host a breakfast program featuring the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency Ha Kim Ngoc. Ambassador Ngoc started his remarks by re-affirming his belief in people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the United States and Vietnam, two values that Meridian commits itself to. Mutual understanding, the Ambassador commented, is the key to a successful, mutually beneficial partnership, from which innovation and economic relations can grow between the U.S. and the Indo-Pacific.

With the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam coming up in 2020, Ambassador Ngoc reinforced that the nations’ cooperation on key global issues, such as technology, defense, security, and the economy is paramount to their sustained relationship. He also said there are ample investment opportunities for U.S.-based companies to expand, thanks to domestic reforms that allowed the country’s economy to be named one of the top 50 largest world economies by the International Monetary Fund. Vietnam is also the 16th largest investment partner of the U.S. In turn, the U.S. is the 12th largest investment partner in Vietnam.

Ambassador Ngoc emphasized that Vietnam is committed to stronger cooperation with the United States, particularly involving issues of trade and tourism. The conversation following the Ambassador’s remarks touched on how developing direct flights from Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City by 2020 would be able to promote tourism, and thus further economic ties and mutual understanding between the two countries. Ambassador Ngoc said he looks forward to Vietnam becoming a robust ally of the U.S.

Ambassador Stuart Holliday asks Ambassador Ngoc about the future of tourism in Vietnam.

Attendees listen as Jake Jennings, Executive Director of International External Affairs at AT&T, asks a question relating to U.S.-Vietnamese trade.

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc networks with attendees prior to the breakfast program.

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