The newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, on Monday visited Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, which he said sells bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake) and canh chua (sour soup),  his two favorite Vietnamese dishes.

>> Strengthening maritime security relation helps deepen Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership: Ambassador Ted Osius This is the first time that Osius has visited the city since he took office as the new U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam on December 11, 2014. After arriving in the city on Monday afternoon, the ambassador visited the market, as he wanted to enjoy his favorite Vietnamese pancake. The ambassador said fluently in Vietnamese: “Bánh xèo và canh chua là hai món tôi thích, Ở Hà Nội tôi ở thì không dễ có bánh xèo” (Vietnamese pancake and sour soup are two dishes I like. It is not easy to find Vietnamese pancake in Hanoi, where I am staying.) “Ben Thanh market is nearly the same as it was before. It has not much changed and is still bustling,” he said.  Many traders in the market were very impressed by the ambassador’s openheartedness and friendliness. He talked with traders happily and often made witty jokes. He often said in Vietnamese: “Cám ơn em” (Thank you). He bought two purses made of brocade at the market as gifts for his mother.  

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius holds and looks at a purse made of brocade at a stall in Ben Thanh Market. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In talking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Ambassador Osius said he visited the city for the first time in March 1996 and returned several times after that. His most recent visit to the city was five years ago, he said. Ho Chi Minh City is always busy as it is increasingly changing, the ambassador said, adding that every time he came back here he saw the city’s changes.   A staff member of the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City told Tuoi Tre that the ambassador is very lovable and easygoing.    After Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their relations in July 1995,  Ambassador Osius directly took part in the establishment of the U.S. Consulate General in the city and worked as a political official there in 1998.   

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!