US public opinion positive about PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit

Public opinion in the US is generally positive about Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to the US from September 17-23 to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which took place immediately after the upgrading of the Vietnam - US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership on the occasion of US President Joe Biden’s official visit to Vietnam.

Speaking at a ceremony on September 19 to mark the 78th National Day of Vietnam and celebrate the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development between Vietnam and the US at the US Institute of Peace (USIP), Todd Frantz, former Assistant of US Defence Attaché to Vietnam in 2007-2010, said the relationship between the two countries has come a long way and continues to evolve and the US looks forward to a cooperative and peaceful relationship in the future.

Frantz said the two sides have achieved significant progresses, he said, noting that leaders of both countries have done their job well and the two nations are truly cooperating effectively with each other.

Overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs are delighted about the upgrade of the relations between Vietnam and the US, which they believe will bring opportunities for connections and cooperation between businesses of the two countries.

Trung Trinh, CEO of the US -Vietnam Business Council in Washington D.C, expressed great excitement about PM Chinh’s visit to the US, saying that this demonstrates the high determination of the Vietnamese Party and State in building connectivity with the US.

It is a concrete step to turn the cooperation potential into reality, he stressed, adding that the US-Vietnam Business Council has outlined a specific plan, which includes organising a forum on high-tech agriculture and agricultural exports on October 16, aiming to connect US companies specialising hi-tech agriculture and Vietnamese partners. 

During the visit, PM Chinh delivered a policy speech at Georgetown University in Washington DC on September 19, which received praises from local political figures, scholars, and students.

David Shear, former US Ambassador to Vietnam, said PM Chinh’s speech was very comprehensive and strategic, noting that the PM’s visit to the US is the first high-level visit after the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership, and this is an important step forward in the US -Vietnam relationship.

He expressed a hope that the two governments and people will strive to complete PM Chinh’s plan.

Vietnamese students studying at Georgetown University said they are impressed by the upgrading of the relations between the two nations. They expressed their belief that Vietnam and the US will continue to make new strides and bring mutual benefits to both sides.