Vietnamese ambassador stresses improved relations

Vietnam's ambassador to the U.S. discussed the improved relations between the two countries before a group of about 250 students yesterday in Van Munching Hall.

Ambassador Le Cong Phung came to the university, in part, to recognize the 15th anniversary of the normalization of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations, which included the reinstatement of economic and political interactions.

Phung, a 38-year diplomatic veteran, who served in various foreign service posts in England, China and Indonesia, and as Ambassador to Thailand, acknowledged the years of conflict and division between the U.S. and Vietnam that took place in the '50s, '60s and '70s. Today, he said, the two countries are growing closer than ever.

"Today, the U.S. and Vietnam sit next to each other in the U.N., which means a lot," Phung said. "Our relationship in the past was sometimes good and sometimes not very good, but we are heading for the better."

He added the U.S. has been the biggest foreign investor in Vietnam so far this year.

The ambassador said the economy was possibly the biggest indicator of improved bi-lateral relations between the U.S. and Vietnam, and also possibly the most important issue.

"Vietnam is the fastest growing economy in Asia behind China," he said. "Most big American corporations have contracts in Vietnam."

Senior government and politics and women's studies major Amy Hartman said she came for her class but was interested to hear about the Vietnamese economy.

"One of his main points, which I believed was interesting, was how he talked about closing the gap between imports and exports," Hartman said.

Students in attendance were mostly members of the Freshman Fellows Program — freshmen directly admitted to the university's business management program. Some of the students are also attending a study trip to Vietnam and Thailand during the upcoming winter break.

Sophomore business management major Maurice Nick is among the students venturing to Southeast Asia during winter break for the study trip. Although he didn't find the ambassador's lecture groundbreaking, it made him more comfortable with the idea of traveling to the once war-torn country.

"I am traveling to Vietnam and wanted to hear what he had to say about U.S.-Vietnam relations," Nick said. "I would go regardless, but now I feel a more personal connection to the country."

botelho at umdbk dot com