The US’s Associated Press published a report saying that a tag of WTO membership will help Vietnam integrate deeply into the international economy and open the door to a new era of trade and investment in one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Entry for Vietnam, whose economy has grown by an average of more than 7 percent for the last decade, comes as good news for the commerce body, AP wrote.

The UK “Times” commented that as a full WTO member, Vietnam will become more prosperous. Exports of garment, seafood and many other products will see bright prospects.

Meanwhile, the BBC evaluated that WTO membership will give Vietnam greater access to overseas markets but will also require it to cut import tariffs. In the lead-up to Vietnam's WTO membership, overseas firms increasing their presence in the country and foreign direct investment reached US$10 billion in 2006. Vietnam is one of South-East Asia's fastest growing economies.

German “Rheinpfalz” newspaper emphasized that Vietnam achieved an economic growth rate of around 8 percent in 2006, topped in East Asia, only to China.

Austrian “Standard” and “Die Presse” wrote that officially becoming a WTO member, Vietnam is expected to attract more than US$11 billion in foreign direct investment in 2007, after hit a record high of US$10 billion in 2006.

Spanish “El Pais” newspaper commented that Vietnam’s becoming the 150^th member of the WTO is not only an economic achievement but also an outcome of Vietnam’s success in international relations. The paper said after fierce wars the country had to suffer from serious food shortages caused by economic blockade. Vietnam today has become one of Asia’s most dynamic economies with average growth rate of 7.5 percent in the past five years, which is second only to China in the region. The trend will continue to grow after the country joins the WTO.

Argentina’s “Urgent 24” online newspaper forecast that Vietnam which reached an economic growth rate of 8.5 percent last year, could probably achieve a higher growth rate in 2007 after the country officially became a full member of the WTO on January 11.

However, the newspaper warned that the Vietnamese economy will face new challenges, including the opening of its market to foreign firms in the banking, insurance and distribution sectors.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s media on January 12 carried articles saying that Vietnam’s WTO accession opened the door to a new era of trade and investment in one of Asia 's fastest-growing economies.

With its WTO membership, Vietnam will gain more access to the global market, have cooperation with major economic partners and enjoy a fairer playing-field, the media reported.

The US administration welcomed Vietnam’s entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on January 11, according to a statement released by US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez.

"This is a significant step forward for our relationship with Vietnam. Vietnam's integration into the global economy will open the doors of opportunity for people from both countries to develop closer trade ties and will help American businesses increase exports," the statement said.

The US administration will, however, continue to work with all stakeholders to set up a textile and apparel watchdog system to monitor unfair trade practices, according to the statement.

With Vietnam’s becoming the 150^th member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), US service providers will enjoy greater rights in accessing the Vietnamese market in various fields including telecommunications, financial service, distribution and energy service. Other regulations in Vietnam’s commitments to the WTO will help increase exports through the transparency in the management and protection of intellectual property.

Since the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) became effective in December, 2001, mutually beneficial two-way trade turnover between the two countries marked a five-fold increase, from US$1.5 billion to US$7.8 billion at the end of 2005.

The same day, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said the US welcomed Vietnam’s becoming the 150^th member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) describing it a very important event in the process of expanding trade ties and improving living standards in the world at large. Vietnam’s official entry into the WTO was also an indication of US commitments to promote the multilateral trade system and marked the beginning of a new era in the political and economic relations between the US and Vietnam, Mrs Schwab said.