US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink on January 17 paid a visit to the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) at its head office in Hanoi and granted an interview to VOV, during which he wished that Vietnam would be successful.

VOV President Nguyen The Ky hosts US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink (L)

Meeting with the US diplomat, VOV President Nguyen The Ky showed his elation at the visit by the guest at the beginning of the new year as both nations are preparing for the 25th anniversary of normalization of bilateral ties.

The top VOV leader highlighted VOV as a leading media agency of Vietnam which was established in 1945, when Vietnam and the US enjoyed the first relationship.

Vietnam-US relations have made great strides in the fields of politics, economics and foreign affairs over the past 25 years, Ky said, adding that the two countries' high-ranking leaders  have had numerous exchange visits, including the 2015 visit to the US by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

“2020 marks the 25th anniversary of bilateral ties normalization. We have excelled the ordinary and made extraordinary. Vietnam holds the UN Security Council non-permanent membership and the ASEAN Chair this year, which will contribute to strengthening relations between Vietnam and the US and other countries. As the leading media agency in Vietnam, VOV will do our best in Vietnam-US relations coverage,” Ky said.

For his part, Daniel J. Kritenbrink said he feels highly honoured to visit VOV in the lead up to the lunar New Year Festival or Tet, noting that he came here to bring New Year wishes and success.

He also agreed with what the VOV President above said whilst affirming that Vietnam is one of the important partners of his nation.

The US Ambassador also underscored the importance of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's 2015 visit to the US as a milestone in US-Vietnam relations.

VOV President Nguyen The Ky presents a special gift to US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink

“Vietnam is one of our most important partners. We cooperate in such a broad range of areas, which is truly breathtaking as you described, everything from security and economics, to people-to-people tie to the environment, energy, and health. We have built, over the past 25 years, an extraordinary partnership and friendship. I am very proud of that. I actually thing one of the most important parts of our relationship is our strong people-to-people tie,” Daniel J. Kritenbrink said.

The VOV President expressed his desire to contribute to elevating Vietnam-US relations to a higher level, saying that the United States always had an important position in world politics.

Ky also stated that it is essential to boost cooperation with the US in a wide range of fields during Vietnam's current development process.

The VOV chief pledged his organization's best efforts to further foster the relationship between the two countries, stating that VOV and the US Embassy in Vietnam will co-organize a cultural event on the occasion of 25 years of normalization of bilateral relations.

US Ambassador Kritenbrink also expected that the two sides would expand cooperation in many other areas and hoped that VOV would support US-Vietnam ties coverage, especially important events in June 2020, regarding the 25th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations.

The US diplomat told his host that the Vietnam-US relations are at the best time, adding that the US really wishes Vietnam to succeed, and wants to partner with Vietnam.

 US Ambassador Kritenbrink grants an interview to VOV

During the visit, the US Ambassador Kritenbrink responded to a VOV interview about the Vietnam-US relations as well as issues relating to cooperation in economics, education and dioxin detoxification in some areas of Vietnam.