HCM City wants to further contribute to Vietnam-US ties: official
As the national economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City wishes to work as a factor contributing to fostering the Vietnam-US relationship, through cooperation at the local level, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen told visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on June 12.
At the meeting between Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – As the national economichub, Ho Chi Minh City wishes to work as a factor contributing to fostering theVietnam-US relationship, through cooperation at the local level, Secretary ofthe municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen told visiting US Deputy Secretaryof State Wendy Sherman on June 12.
Nen stressed that the bilateral relationship hasmade significant strides across spheres, adding that the US is now Vietnam’s 11th biggest investor with more than 1,100 projects worth 10.47 billion USD as ofApril.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the US remained thebiggest importer of Vietnam in 2020-2021. Vietnam has also emerged as the 9th largest trade partner of the US.
The US is also HCM City’s leading trade partner,with two-way trade reaching some 9 billion USD. The US is the 10th biggest investor in the city with more than 500 projects valued at around 1.2billion USD.
Additionally, the US is a potential andimportant partner in such spheres as high-tech, smart city building, finance, healthcare, education, and high-quality personnel training, he said.
HCM City welcomes US investors, especially inhigh-tech, smart city building, health care, finance, infrastructure andrenewable energy, he said, pledging that local authorities will create optimalconditions for foreign investors, including those from the US, to operate inthe city.
For her part, Sherman expressed her delight atcooperation and mutual support between Vietnam and the US during the pandemicspread in the two countries.
The US welcomes the Vietnamese government’s policyof clean energy transition, which will help the country achieve its commitmentsto net zero carbon emissions by 2050, she noted.
US firms want to pour more investments in Vietnam,particularly in renewable energy, digital transformation, digital economy andeducation, she continued.
The Deputy Secretary suggested the two countriesroll out specific cooperation activities in the time ahead, especially inenergy, environment, high-tech and education./.
The Vietnam Low Emission Energy Programme II (V-LEEP II), which is worth 36 million USD and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), was kicked off in Hanoi on June 3.
US President Joe Biden on June 6 declared a 24-month tariff exemption for solar panels manufactured in four Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, in an effort to promote clean energy production in the country.
Deputy Defence Minister Sen Lt Gen Hoang Xuan Chien hosted a reception on June 7 for USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock and US Defence Attache to Vietnam Thomas Stevenson, who came to say good-bye at the end of their tenure.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
At the meeting between Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (Photo: VNA) 
