The function was attended by Deputy US Trade Representative Karan Bhatia; the US Deputy Secretary of Defence for International Security Peter Rodman, ASEAN ambassadors and military attaches in the US, representatives of the US business coalition in support of Vietnam's entry to the WTO, as well as US businesses, friends and overseas Vietnamese.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Tam Chien emphasised the progress made in Vietnam-US relations over recent years.

The granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Vietnam will be the final step in the normalisation of Vietnam-US relations, the ambassador said, adding that it will open a new chapter in bilateral relationship and benefit both sides.

The US guests said they are all pleased with the development of Vietnam-US relations and support early approval of PNTR for Vietnam, as well as Vietnam's entry to the WTO.