The U.S. Consulate General’s American Center in Ho Chi Minh City now re-opens its doors to welcome a larger number of visitors with updated, modern facilities after being closed for four months for renovation.
The renovated American Center, still located on the 8th floor of Diamond Plaza at 34 Le Duan Street, District 1 is now divided into different areas, each of which has a specific purpose and set of activities, the U.S. Consulate General said Thursday in a press release.
The place features a new lounge where visitors, especially students, can find their relaxing moments while watching movies or accessing the Internet.
It has a special area where readers can sit on large, smooth couches and view the beautiful city landscape through the windows.
A visitor is seen receiving a member card at the American Center. Photo: Binh Minh/Tuoi Tre News
Besides 18 modern computers, the lounge also includes 30 iPads which visitors can use to read documents including e-books and magazines on a digital platform.
The American Center, which opens to the public from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, now has its library fuller with approximately 2,500 books and 750 DVDs which are all free of charge.
It also features a consulting room where students who want to study abroad can ask and get necessary information given by well-trained, professional advisors.
“The purpose of the American Center is to be the place in Ho Chi Minh City where people can come to learn about American culture, practice their English, and receive free and unbiased advising about educational opportunities in America," Consul General Rena Bitter said.
"People can also take courses and learn new skills. One of the things that we think is so special about our renovated American Center is that it’s really beautiful and flexible. The new American Center now reflects the relationship between American and Vietnamese people.”
The American Center was established on September 28, 2011. It was closed on December 15 last year for renovation as part of the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the normalization of relations between Vietnam and the U.S.
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