On January the 13th, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (No. 1, Vo Van Ngan Street, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City) was honored to have the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry in his official trip to Vietnam. Secretary Kerry had a conversation with YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative) awardees together with the students, scholars and distinguished guests

Since nominated as the Secretary of State in President Barack Obama’s second presidential term, Sec. Kerry has made several visits to Vietnam. In May 2016, he accompanied President Barrack Obama on a 3-day visit to Vietnam.
 

“This event marks a positive movement in the 2 countries’ bilateral relationship as well as a promotion of US-Vietnam established diplomatic relationship.” Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh strongly stated.
Secretary Kerry got involved in the Vietnam War in 1966. After returning to the US, he joined the Vietnam Veterans against the War (VVAW), and later on, he made great contributions to the formal normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1995.
 


“I look out and I see some very young faces who are students here, many of you born long after conflict between the United States and Vietnam. We have moved so far beyond that now. But I want you to know it wasn’t easy, it wasn’t automatic. It didn’t just happen. It happened through the hard work and the vision of a lot of people.” Sec. Kerry said.

Secretary Kerry also expressed his pleasure to be standing in such a meaningful place as the university auditorium was built 50 years ago thanks to a USAID project. “This is a wonderful place for me for me to be able to come today to think about the future of our bilateral ties.” shared Sec. John Kerry. He also added: “I am convinced there is enough youthful energy here in this auditorium today to help turn my hair brown again.”



On behalf of the university board of directors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Dzung- President of HCM UTE extended a warm welcome in his opening speech asserting that the university was honored and pleased to have the visit of Sec. John Kerry. Also, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Dzung reinforced the idea that the excellent diplomatic relation between the 2 countries is the one of the key factors to continuing the development of HCM UTE.

To thank for the sincere welcome and hospitality of Ho Chi Minh City leaders and people, Sec. Kerry shared that he was always impressed by the remarkable transformation of the country every time he returned. “Well, this will be my final visit to Vietnam and Southeast Asia as Secretary of State, but I guarantee you, as a private citizen I will be back. And then, for as long as I am able, I intend to remain committed to the growth of a warm and mutually beneficial relationship between our peoples”, sincere words from Sec. Kerry.



In the following evening, Sec. Kerry had a formal meeting with Ho Chi Minh City leaders prior to his visit to the Mekong Delta in which concerns about the environment, alternative energy sources, sustainable infrastructure development, and intelligent management of water and ecological system will be raised to discuss with local experts.