American political circles hold an optimistic view of the future of the multi-faceted relationship between Vietnam and the United States following Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s historic visit to the US, which concluded on July 10.

Michael Michalak, former US Ambassador to Vietnam, said that General Secretary Trong’s visit had historic significance, indicating the trust in and depth of the relationship between the two countries.

The visit was evidence of the two countries’ mutual respect for their political systems, Michalak said. It was a step forwards in implementing the statements made by leaders within the framework of their strategic partnership.

The former ambassador believed the visit would elevate the US-Vietnam relationship to a new level with more trust and respect.

Michalak, who was Ambassador to Vietnam from 2007-2011, underlined that the US-Vietnam relationship has made substantial progress in the past 20 years.

Trust has grown in many of the fields the two countries cooperate in, he said, citing efforts for peace and stability in the region and the world.

Anthony Nelson, who manages Vietnamese affairs at the US - ASEAN Business Council, also shared Michalak’s view on General Secretary Trong’s historic visit.

He said economic ties between the two countries were one of the most successful aspects.

Vietnam’s economy has increasingly integrated globally, opening up a number of cooperation opportunities for Vietnam and its partners, he added.

Since the normalisation of US-Vietnam relations in 1995, trade value has increased from 450 million USD to 36 billion USD and is expected to continue to rise as their economies continue expanding.

The US is Vietnam’s leading export market and Vietnam is a potential market for American hi-tech products.

Party chief’s visit helps boost Vietnam-US all-around ties: RoK scholar

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to the US, and his talks with US President Barack Obama significantly contribute to enhancing mutual trust and opening up more opportunities for the exchange and cooperation between the two sides, a scholar of the Republic of Korea (RoK) commented.

Prof. Chon Yong Hun, head of an institute for Vietnam’s policy research and Vice President of the RoK-Vietnam Friendship Association, made the remark during an interview granted to a Vietnam New Agency’s correspondent in Seoul on July 11.

The year 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties, he said, adding that high-level visits between the two sides such as US President Bill Clinton’s visit to Vietnam in 2000 and Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet’s US visit in 2007 brought positive results, contributing to boosting mutual trust between the two nations.

He noted that two-way trade between Vietnam and the US experienced a five-fold increase to 37.7 billion USD in 2014 from only 6.2 billion USD in 2004.

According to Chon Yong Hun, Vietnam’s engagement in the negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement will also help foster their two-way trade.

US multinational businesses will increase their investment in Vietnam, bringing with them advanced technologies, he said.

Regarding diplomatic and defence fields, both countries are aware that it is necessary to push cooperation and mutual support in the coming time, according to the scholar .

He added that based on this common awareness, Vietnam and the US will foster defence cooperation in the future.

VNA