The Consulate General of the United States in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday hosted a reception to celebrate the 239th anniversary of Independence Day (July 4, 1776 – July 4, 2015).

The event was organized at GEM Center in District 1 with a formal flag ceremony to the background music of the national anthems of Vietnam and the U.S.

Speaking at the reception, Consul General Rena Bitter delivered remarks emphasizing that this year is an important year in the history of the two countries’ bilateral relationship, marking the 20th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S.

She impressed participants on the night by wearing a beautiful Vietnamese traditional ao dai printed with American national flag patterns.

The event was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius and Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hong.

In his remarks, the ambassador said he remembered the time when he celebrated the first Independence Day in Vietnam after the restoration of the two countries’ diplomatic ties 18 years ago.

He also mentioned the statement of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that no two countries have come together further and faster than Vietnam and the U.S.

U.S. Ambassador Osius added evidence for that statement by giving a series of examples proving how the two countries have come closer.

“For example, when I was hanging bunting from the rafters at the Caravelle at the first 4th of July celebration, annual bilateral trade was less than US$500 million. It is now $35 billion and rising,” he spoke at the reception.

“Back then there were fewer than 1,000 Vietnamese students at American universities,” he added. “Now there are nearly 17,000, and we expect that number to rise.”

At the event, U.S. Ambassador Osius also said that he will accompany Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on the “historic visit” to the U.S. to meet with President Barack Obama, which is expected to help forge greater cooperation between the two countries.

Also, the ambassador mentioned the visit of President Bill Clinton to Hanoi on Thursday for the U.S. embassy’s Anniversary Gala to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

At the end of the remarks, Ambassador Osius expressed his optimism about the relationship between Vietnam and the U.S. in the fields of education, peace, bilateral trade, and human rights.

“I have learned to embrace our past, I have reason to celebrate the successes of the last 20 years and I know that the future of this relationship is limitless,” he said.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius delivered remarks at the reception to celebrate the 239th anniversary of Independence Day in Ho Chi Minh City on July 1, 2015. Photo: Binh Minh/Tuoi Tre News

Joining the event, Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hong hailed the ever-growing relation between Vietnam and the U.S.

“On the foundation of the good outcomes achieved over the past year, combined with the active role of the U.S. ambassador and consul general, we believe that the multifaceted cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the U.S. will continue to grow further, helping to elevate the Vietnam – U.S. Comprehensive Partnership to new heights,” she stated.

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