There is ample opportunity for Vietnam and the US to lift their relations to a higher level in the future, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh remarked at a ceremony on July 2 to celebrate the 239th anniversary of the US Independence Day and the 20th anniversary of the normalisation of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties.

Deputy PM Minh expressed his joy at the significant progress made in bilateral relations in all areas, benefitting the two countries and contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, co-operation and development in the respective regions.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius warmly welcomed former US President Bill Clinton to the event, praising the role played by the former President in turning over a new leaf in the Vietnam-US relations 20 years ago.

He said he hoped that the bilateral relations between both nations would continue to be strengthened in the coming time.

Speaking at the ceremony held by the US Embassy in Hanoi, Bill Clinton spoke highly of the ties between the US and Vietnam over the last two decades, highlighting outstanding co-operation results in education, the economy and trade.

He expressed his desire for the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership to be further enhanced in the near future.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic ties between the two nations, the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City launched a presentation competition on the theme of US-Vietnam relations.

The contest calls upon Vietnamese students aged 15-22 currently living in Vietnam to submit their presentations online via http://goo.gl/CAkzue before July 15.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US reached US$35 billion in 2014, a remarkable increase from US$500 million in 1995. Vietnam is the leading exporter to the US within ASEAN.

VNA