Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung talks to VOV correspondent Pham Huan (Photo: VOV)

In an interview with a Voice of Vietnam reporter based in Washington DC, the Ambassador said mutual understanding and respect has improved markedly. The two sides have always shown respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions.

Economic-trade relations are the fastest growing, strongest pillar and driving force of bilateral ties in general, he said. Two-way trade turnover increased from 25 billion USD in 2012 to nearly 139 billion USD last year. Every year, between 23,000 and 25,000 Vietnamese students study in the United States.

Cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war continues to be a high priority. The two sides have devoted a lot of resources and stepped up the search and verification of the remains of Vietnamese soldiers who died in the war. Both have worked together on dioxin detoxification, unexploded ordnance clearance, and support for people with disabilities and those affected by Agent Orange.

Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung said he believes that Vietnam-US relations will continue to flourish.

“I believe that our two countries will continue to develop comprehensively in all fields. The exchange of high-level delegations will still be a priority. We will strive for a stable level of trade and investment, minimize disagreements and trade defense activities. More attention will be paid to science and technology, digital economy, green economy, and circular economy."

"We will also focus on global issues, including climate change, supply chain sustainability, people-to-people exchanges, education and training. We also hope the number of American tourists to Vietnam will increase and the investment of Vietnamese and American businesses will also increase,” the Ambassador said.