During a press conference in Hanoi on August 28, Ambassador Wicks explained her decision to make Quang Tri her first destination since assuming office in July. "Efforts focused on addressing war legacies play a foundational role in building and strengthening the growing trust between our two sides," she emphasized, calling it a prime example of mutually beneficial cooperation.
In Quang Tri, the US Ambassador observed demining operations conducted by Vietnamese teams, alongside efforts to search for and identify the remains of those missing from the war.
Ambassador Jennifer Wicks also shared that she was deeply moved to participate in a teleconference commemorating July 27 at the invitation of the Vietnamese government. This experience helped her profoundly understand the significance of searching for relatives missing from the war: "I personally witnessed the immense power and impact when a family receives information about a loved one. The personal significance this effort brings is invaluable."
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US Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks at a press conference in Hanoi on August 28. Photo: Giang Huy |
The Ambassador affirmed that leaders within the US Department of Defense are committed to continuing support and advancing partnership in war legacy remediation. The US will ensure the provision of resources and technology, not only from the Department of Defense but also by mobilizing participation from the private sector and educational institutions, such as data processing, archival, and information gathering support from Texas Tech University recently.
Beyond the highlight of war legacy cooperation, the new Ambassador identified economic promotion as another top priority. Ambassador Wicks stated she is actively advocating and paving the way for US businesses to access the Vietnamese market in key sectors including aviation, energy, technology, and defense industry. She commended Vietnam's readiness to discuss and resolve legal and administrative hurdles, aiming for a "level playing field" for investors.
The third focus of her tenure is strengthening people-to-people exchanges. The Ambassador cited data showing that Vietnam ranks first in the ASEAN region and 5th globally for the number of students studying in the US, with a large number pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
"I am very excited and pleased to be working in Vietnam, a dynamic, beautiful country. I look forward to visiting all provinces, meeting people, enjoying local cuisine, and admiring Vietnam's scenic beauty," the Ambassador stated.
Lan Huong
