The Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam-US Friendship Association in central Da Nang city, and the University of Foreign Language Studies at the University of Da Nang jointly held a ceremony on November 24 to mark the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties (1995-2020). 

Nguyen Ngoc Binh, President of the union, recalled the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties 25 years ago as well as the birth of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association - the first bilateral friendship association between Vietnamese people and foreign friends - in 1945.

Vietnam and the US have overcome difficulties and differences to keep the relationship strong in all spheres and at all levels, he said.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ho Ky Minh said Da Nang has set up friendly and cooperative ties with three US localities - Oakland (California), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), and Houston (Texas).

Da Nang has been a destination for many high-ranking US delegations, he said, citing visits by Senator Patrick Leahy and President Donald Trump in 2017.

He also highlighted the regular exchange of high-ranking delegations between Da Nang and US localities, which contribute to consolidating and enhancing mutual understanding and trust.

Da Nang has also witnessed cooperative activities between the naval forces of the two countries during annual visits by US vessels such as the USS Carl Vinson in 2018 and the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2020.

In addition to political ties, economic and trade links between Da Nang and US partners have also made great strides forward, he said, noting that the US is one of the largest import-export markets of businesses in Da Nang.

One of the highlights of the cooperation between Da Nang and the US is humanitarian and development aid provided by US non-governmental organisations.

As of 2020, Da Nang had set up relations with 105 US NGOs, including the East Meets West Foundation, World Vision International, and Children of Vietnam, which have provided material support, shared experience, transferred technologies, and helped improve healthcare and education quality in the locality.

Minh said Da Nang and the US have great potential for further cooperation, and pledged that the city will create optimal conditions for US investors in tourism, high-quality services, seaports, aviation, logistics, and high-technology.