In an interview with Vietnam National Defense Television, Ambassador Phạm Quang Vinh, President of the Vietnam – US Society, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and former Ambassador of Vietnam to the United States, reflected on the one-year anniversary of the elevation of the Vietnam-U.S. relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We sincerely thank him for his positive remarks, reaffirming the important role and contributions of Fulbright University in the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
Ambassador Phạm Quang Vinh shared:
“In terms of educational cooperation, let me highlight some noteworthy examples in the collaboration between the two countries. First, Fulbright’s economic education program started in 1992, before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S. It helped Vietnam train economic management aligned with the market-oriented socialist model at the very beginning of our economic and management reforms. These were significant starting points, and over the past 30 years, more than 14,000 individuals have participated in Fulbright’s economic classes. This marks a major contribution in providing new knowledge and support for Vietnam.
Secondly, Fulbright, in partnership with Harvard University, has provided numerous scholarships to Vietnamese students and young professionals, offering them access to knowledge in public management, STEM, and science and technology, enabling them to return and contribute to the nation. Another significant program is the economic advisory initiative for senior Vietnamese leaders, with many of our top leaders participating.
As Vietnam’s Ambassador to the U.S., I had the honor of witnessing General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng’s historic visit to the U.S. During that visit, he endorsed the licensing of Fulbright University Vietnam in 2015, leading to its official operation a year later.
In the nearly eight years since its establishment, Fulbright University Vietnam has become an integral part of the Vietnam-U.S. educational partnership, as envisioned by both the Vietnamese leadership and the university’s leaders. President Obama also visited Vietnam and emphasized this message.
To summarize, as concluded by the leaders of both countries, and particularly ours, education is a crucial component and a success of bilateral cooperation. Vietnam has a significant need for high-quality human resources, and Fulbright has contributed to this effort. Additionally, Fulbright continues to provide advice on specific economic development issues. Lastly, Fulbright operates autonomously while adhering to Vietnamese cultural and legal norms, and both sides are determined to ensure that this aligns with the direction and momentum of the bilateral relationship.”
Watch the full conversation with Ambassador Phạm Quang Vinh on the program Người Quan Sát on Vietnam National Defense Television (QPVN) here.
