President Obama’s visit to Vietnam officially begins at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, when his special plane lands in Noi Bai. His first wave from the plane door and the welcoming bouquet of flowers from a young Vietnamese girl left a lot of sympathy.
During the following journeys, from the airport to the hotel , from places of residence to working locations, excursions, from Hanoi to Saigon, regardless of day or late at night… The US President received a warm and excited welcome from the Vietnamese people. And in response, the head of the United States, amid strict security, showed friendliness, openness, and harmony with the people and culture of the native country.
On the first day of the trip to Vietnam ( May 23) President Obama held talks with all four top leaders of the State Party of Vietnam.
Talks with President Tran Dai Quang at the Presidential Palace, President Obama unanimously announced the important decision of the US on removing the arms embargo on Vietnam – a step to remove barriers The final obstacle in the process of normalizing relations between two countries that were former enemies during the 20 years the US waged the war in Vietnam. The Vietnam-US joint statement signed after this state-level talk later expressed many commitments to strengthening cooperation between the two countries in all fields of economics, trade, culture, and education. National defense and security education to overcome the consequences of war and cope with climate change; Many important large-scale project documents were signed.
During the meeting Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc President Obama discussed promoting recognition of the full market economic mechanism in Vietnam Nam promoted the ratification and implementation of the TPP Agreement, unifying views on handling disputes in the East Sea towards building a common Code of Conduct between ASEAN and China… Mr. Obama also came to pay a courtesy visit General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong – the highest leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam whom he just welcomed at the White House during a historic visit nearly 1 year ago.
The US President had a meeting with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, walking leisurely in the Presidential Palace area and feeding fish at Uncle Ho’s fish pond Lake. During the short contact in that special space, Mr. Obama had leisure moments to feel the peace of Hanoi as he set foot in a place of respect for the Vietnamese people.
At a state banquet of President Tran Dai Quang, President Obama gave a brief but expressive speech. sincere understanding of Vietnamese culture when comparing the qualities of the Vietnamese people with lotus – a flower that grows from difficult mud is a symbol of beauty, hope, strength and courage.
The speech cited the legendary poem by Ly Thuong Kiet, Truyen Kieu of the university. Poet Nguyen Du and Van Cao Trinh Cong Son expressed his respectful understanding of Vietnam’s cultural and spiritual identity.
In his speech, the US President affirmed sovereignty and independence. cannot dominate Vietnam’s imposition throughout history; the East Sea issue and the principle of absolute respect for big countries not being able to “bully” small countries.
Similar to a dialogue with young entrepreneurs in the Vietnamese start-up community on the afternoon of May 24 as well as a speech in front of 800 community members. Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) on the morning of May 25 in Ho Chi Minh City. The US President cleverly used the images of people who influence Vietnamese youth such as singer Son Tung musician Tran Lap to encourage the passion for entrepreneurship and the desire for “the road to glory” of Vietnamese youth. He shared that his greatest legacy after 20 years of working in politics is the young leaders program that he initiated and pledged to continue efforts for this activity after leaving office.
During his 3 days in Vietnam, Mr. Obama left in many people the image of a friendly, open and approachable leader. Sitting in the “supercar” Cadillac One, he waved to reporters who had just completed their mission after an event. He excitedly took pictures, shook hands, laughed and talked with thousands of people surrounding him popular bun cha restaurant on the street – where he chose to have dinner that day May 23. He stopped the car to shelter from the rain at a roadside iced tea shop to ask about the lives of people in the Me Tri Ha area on the way to leave Hanoi. He jokingly responded to a young businessman’s humorous question about not continuing to run for US President for the third time.
Many Vietnamese people commented that US President Obama is as simple and approachable as expected. The US President also shared that the friendliness and affection of the Vietnamese people touched his heart and he felt it very clearly. The state officials accompanying him also shared their impression of being warmly welcomed by local people with the largest groups of people they had ever seen standing on both sides of the street to wave and express their excitement. …
President Obama had a successful trip in persuading the spirit of open democracy and liberal human values… His commitments are also The American leadership’s commitment goes beyond this term and will be verified and monitored by the Vietnamese people.
P. Thao
