The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
Today, Administrator Samantha Power concluded her multi-day visit to Vietnam in Hanoi. She began her day by riding an electric motorbike manufactured by Dat Bike, a Vietnamese startup that USAID supports that is working to replace gas-powered bikes with more environmentally friendly electric motorbikes. She also visited a local coffee shop serving cà phê trứng, a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee.
Administrator Power then visited the Rehabilitation Institute at Bach Mai Hospital. Starting in the mid-1990s, USAID partnered with Bach Mai Hospital to support victims of war. Bach Mai Hospital is now the leading institution in rehabilitation in Vietnam.
At the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Administrator Power held a town hall and thanked Embassy staff for their commitment to the United States’ work to advance a strong, prosperous, resilient, and independent Vietnam. The Administrator also met with USAID’s Vietnamese local employees to convey her appreciation for their dedication and engage in an open dialogue about their work.
In the afternoon, the Administrator met with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son where she reaffirmed USAID’s strong, growing partnership with Vietnam on shared priorities, including overcoming war legacies, strengthening public health, and advancing inclusive economic growth, and more.
The Administrator then held a press availability with Vietnamese and international journalists and reflected on her visit to Vietnam. She spoke about the importance of the USAID-Vietnam partnership to address pressing global challenges like climate change, investing in the next generation, and the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, as well as the desire to upgrade to a Strategic Partnership.
Finally, Administrator Power met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to discuss USAID’s commitment to elevating its partnership with Vietnam. Administrator Power highlighted expanding areas of cooperation. These include support for Vietnam to find and identify Vietnamese war dead so families can continue their healing; enhancing USAID’s partnership with Vietnam’s three largest universities to modernize higher education institutions; bolstering climate change resilience in the Mekong Delta; and support for clean energy and strengthening public health.
