Le Cong Phung, Vietnamese ambassador to the US, shed light on Mr Triet’s trip during a recent interview granted to a Washington-based VOV correspondent.

VOV: Could you elaborate on the significance of Mr Triet’s trip?
Mr Phung: This is a very important visit which demonstrates Vietnam’s open foreign policy of strengthening cooperative relations with the US and other countries. He is scheduled to meet with a number of heads of State, including US President Obama, attend a meeting under former President Bill Clinton’s programme and take part in various business activities. This is a good chance for Vietnam to expand cooperation, especially in economics and trade, with those countries.

VOV: Vietnam and the US will review 15 years of their diplomacy in 2010. What are the most significant achievements during the period?
Mr Phung: Bilateral ties have fared well, especially in economics, trade, national defence, politics, culture and social affairs, since the two countries normalised their diplomatic ties in 1995. I think the most remarkable success is that leaders of the two countries have established a firm foundation for stronger development in many areas in the future for mutual benefit and for peace and stability in the region and the rest of the world.

VOV: What do you think are the promising areas of cooperation?
Mr Phung: Economic cooperation takes centre stage in bilateral relations. Currently, the US is Vietnam’s largest export market and it is also one of the biggest foreign investors in our country. Education is also another potential area for Vietnam-US cooperation which should be promoted in the coming years. In addition, we will continue to expand cooperation in other areas such as security and national defence to meet both countries’ needs.

VOV: Vietnam will take over the chair of ASEAN in 2010. What are the US’s viewpoints on ASEAN and Vietnam’s role in this regional grouping?
Mr Phung: As far as I know, the US highly values ASEAN’s role in Asia and Southeast Asia in particular. The US will show increased interest in ASEAN if all member countries have a common voice on areas of cooperation, realise the ASEAN Charter and promote its role in the region and the world. I think the US attaches great importance to strengthening cooperative ties with Vietnam and considers it an active ASEAN member that could make an important contribution to fostering ties between the US and the grouping.