The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on culture and people-to-people relations between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the US Department of State took place solemnly at the Vietnam House, witnessed by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, and official members of the Vietnamese delegation including: Ms. Ha Thi Nga - President of the Vietnam Women's Union, Mr. Pham Thanh Ha - Deputy Head of the Office of the President; Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dung - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the United States. On the US side, there were Ms. Elizabeth M. Allen, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States and Ms. Sara Mathews - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, Department of State.
Panorama of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan receiving the US State Department delegation led by Under Secretary Elizabeth M. Allen at the Vietnam House in Washington DC. Photo: Tran Thanh Tuan - VNA correspondent in the US
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy and US Assistant Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield represented each side in the signing.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Culture and People-to-People Relations between the two countries was signed with special significance. This is a document to implement the 2023 Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development. The event became even more meaningful when it was witnessed by Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan on the occasion of the Vice President's trip to attend the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) under the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations and conduct a number of bilateral activities in the United States.
For the implementing agencies, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the US Department of State, this Memorandum of Understanding is also of historical significance. This is the first cultural cooperation document signed between the two countries since the normalization of relations nearly 30 years ago, showing a deep awareness and long-term vision in the bilateral relationship, according to which cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange will play an important role in promoting a strong and long-term Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a statement posted on the official website of the US Department of State, the US Department of State assessed that this document is a "foundation" for the Vietnam - US comprehensive strategic partnership.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy and US Assistant Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield represented each side to sign the agreement, witnessed by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and members of the delegation and their US counterparts. Photo: Tran Thanh Tuan - VNA correspondent in the US
Right before the signing ceremony, the Vice President received a delegation from the US Department of State led by US Deputy Secretary of State Elizabeth M. Allen who came to greet and meet the Vietnamese delegation. At the meeting, Deputy Secretary of State Allen presented a letter from US Vice President Kamala Haris along with warm and enthusiastic sharing about the Vietnam - US relationship.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that the two countries' current relationship is thanks to their joint efforts and effective cooperation achievements in many fields, including culture and people-to-people relations.
"We need to maintain good working relationships, especially personal relationships with each other, and look forward to welcoming the US delegation to Vietnam so that they have the opportunity to better understand Vietnamese culture, thereby loving Vietnam more," said Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.
During the meeting, the Vice President and US Deputy Secretary of State Allen also expressed support for expanding people-to-people ties - the foundation of the US's long-standing partnership with Vietnam - as part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The Vice President took a photo with the delegation after the successful signing ceremony. Photo: Tran Thanh Tuan - VNA correspondent in the US
Following the Vice President, Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy reported and quickly discussed cooperation opportunities and responded to proposals for promotion and wishes from the US Assistant Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs and Education - Ms. Lee Satterfield. The message and spirit throughout the exchange was the willingness to cooperate, promoting the role of cultural and heritage cooperation; commitment to closely coordinate to handle issues of common concern such as: heritage preservation, resolving issues of stolen heritage; building a cooperation channel to introduce culture at the Smithsonian Institution, enhancing student exchanges, and exchanges between the two countries' youth.
At the end of the meeting, the Vice President sent a meaningful message: The two sides need to continue efforts to promote cultural and educational cooperation for young people, because "the young generation is the future of the two countries, investing in the youth is investing in the future of the relationship between our two countries".
With the significance and importance of this event, Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy discussed and agreed with the other side to make efforts to implement this Memorandum of Understanding to strongly promote cooperation and exchange in the cultural field, strengthen the connection and understanding between the people of the two countries, creating a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in many other fields; towards 2025, the two countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations with many exciting cooperation plans, in which culture and people-to-people exchange will play an important bridging role./.
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