VNF - The Vietnam - US Society (VUS) on Jan 18 held a meeting to summarize its work in 2017 and set out direction for activities in 2018.

Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien (outmost left), President of VUS presides over the conference. (Photo: Tran Ngoc)

In 2017, the Viet-American Association continues to strengthen its relationship with the American Veterans Organization and its related organizations, contributing to promoting the Vietnam-US relationship. Specifically, the Association has exchanged information with the "Two-Sided Projects" (2SP). In May 2017, on the occasion of Veterans Day, the 2SP project invited the delegation including representatives of VUS and 03 offspring of Vietnamese martyrs to the US to exchange with American soldiers’ offspring. This activity was widely reported by the American and Vietnamese media, creating public opinion for the US visit of the Prime Minister. General Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May 2017.

Through the exchange of delegations, the Vietnam-US Society has mobilized friends and partners to support victims of war in Vietnam about USD 100,000, more than VND 50 million, bicycles, books, school supplies, toys for students and poor children.

In addition, in response to the Vietnam APEC Year 2017, VUS organized a number of people-to-people meetings and exchanges of information between foreign friends, inpiduals and organizations.

In the near future, the Association aims to successfully organize the 4th Vietnam-US Congress. Regarding the external activities, VUS will hold the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Accords in 1973 and the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre.

Also at the meeting, delegates discussed and contributed ideas for the work of the Association in 2018. Nguyen Hai Giang, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam-US magazine said, the magazine was preparing to launch online version. Then, Vietnam - US magazine will publish monthly instead of 2 months as now. Nguyen Hai Giang also shared, Vietnam - US magazine would like to cooperate with Vietnam Airline to bring this magazine on the airline's flight. During the discussion, delegates also proposed to introduce some traditional art forms of Vietnam such as water puppetry, Quan họ to America./.

VNF