Visiting Deputy Secretary of State of the US, John D. Negroponte told a press briefing in Hanoi that he had discussed with Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan on September 11 ways to increase the number of Vietnamese students in the US, helping Vietnam realise its target of sending 10,000 overseas for doctoral training by 2020.

“In the coming weeks, members of the Education Task Force will meet to discuss how we might strengthen our work together in this area. This Task Force will examine ways in which we can increase the number of Vietnamese students in the US and Americans studying in Vietnam and what can be done to increase exchanges between US and Vietnamese universities,” Negroponte said.

He also said the US wants to link American companies and Vietnamese universities to help graduates acquire the skills they need to find good jobs in the new Vietnamese economy.

The diplomat expressed his delight to revisit Vietnam after 35 years and showed his optimism about the future of Vietnam-US ties, saying even though the two countries fought a bitter and difficult war, on both sides, there seems to be a tremendous amount of good will.

Negroponte also noted development in activities related to Agent Orange/dioxin, POW, MIA and the clearance of unexploded ordinance left from the war.

“Our Joint Advisory Committee on AO/dioxin is also meeting this week. Its work is another example of successful cooperation that is producing positive results,” he said.