Deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration Bui Xuan Cuong and U.S. Consul General in the city Susan Burns have pledged to further promote cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. for common development and a greener future. 

Vice Chairman Cuong and Consul General Burns were speaking at a ceremony commemorating the U.S. 248th Independence Day (July 4) held by the U.S. Consulate General on Friday.

The bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. has been flourishing since the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September last year, Cuong said.

The two sides still have much potential for cooperation, taking advantage of the favorable conditions of the elevated partnership.

He affirmed that the municipal government is constantly committed to strengthening all-round cooperative relations with the U.S.

“I propose that we work together to research, propose and implement new cooperation in spearhead fields, such as science and technology, industrial transformation, digital transformation, clean energy, and sustainable development through many forms and channels for mutual development and joint response to global common challenges,” Cuong told the ceremony.

Ho Chi Minh City highly appreciates the leading role of the U.S. in creative innovation and science and technology, especially in the semiconductor industry, which enables global municipalities to build smart cities and promote groundbreaking research across many fields.

In addition, the two sides also continue to coordinate in implementing many cooperation programs in the fields of education, culture, and sustainable development, such as the Fulbright University project and urban energy security.

Consul General Burns said she was very honored to join Ambassador Marc Knapper in celebrating the U.S. Independence Day in the city. 

“It’s a privilege to share this special day with leaders from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, our Vietnamese friends, and American citizens,” the Facebook page of the U.S. Consulate Generate quoted Burns as saying.

The diplomat underscored that this year’s theme, Oceans, highlights the beauty and significance of the coastlines of both Vietnam and the U.S., which, as Pacific nations, know that the path to peace and prosperity goes through their seas. 

Burns praised Vietnam for significant strides in marine protection, with a dozen protected areas established, from Phu Quoc, an island city off southern Kien Giang Province to the northern city of Hai Phong. 

She highly appreciated the turtle sanctuary on Con Dao, an island district off Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam, as “a shining example of environmental protection and sustainable tourism.”

Burns also mentioned the climate change and pollution issues, highlighting that the two countries have jointly set out goals to eliminate single-use plastics and improve recycling capacity.

The U.S. supports Vietnam’s efforts in these issues, she said, adding that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has deployed pollution reduction programs in Vietnam with a total budget of US$33 million.

Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered into a comprehensive partnership in July 2013. 

Ten years later, both sides lifted their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership on September 10, 2023, skipping the strategic partnership level, during President Biden's two-day official visit to Vietnam.

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