U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Lê Thành Ân: Prioritizing Strengthening Vietnam-U.S. Trade and Education Cooperation

Here is the translation of the interview with Mr. Lê Thành Ân, U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City:

What goals do you want to achieve during your three-year term in Ho Chi Minh City?
"On a personal level, I want to participate in charitable activities at orphanages, hospitals, and schools. Over the past 8-9 years, my family has returned to Vietnam many times, and each time we engage in charity work. We have supported 10 orphanages around Ho Chi Minh City. I hope that in my role as Consul General, I can encourage others to join in charitable activities."

Mr. Lê Thành Ân

• I have many priorities, both official duties and personal goals. I can’t think of a better way to improve U.S.-Vietnam relations than to enhance economic exchange between the two countries. The presence of American products in Vietnam has provided Vietnamese consumers with more choices, and the availability of high-quality goods has enriched people's lives here. Companies providing trade, distribution, and retail services hire many workers from both countries.

Currently, many American companies are looking to invest in Vietnam. In the past two months alone, I have met with several trade delegations from the U.S. seeking investment opportunities, and I will meet another delegation next week. I also want to improve the investment environment in Vietnam. Vietnam's economy has grown impressively over the past decade, and reforms have attracted many investors. However, one concern among businesses is the complexity of procedures related to real estate transactions, recruitment, taxes, and infrastructure issues.

One of my top concerns is education. In Vietnamese cultural tradition, the most valuable inheritance is not money but knowledge. I hope to find ways to help Vietnam modernize its education system.

Will the results of the U.S. congressional elections (with the Republican Party holding the majority in the House) affect U.S. policies?

• Not at all. Since taking office, President Barack Obama has pursued a policy of engagement with other nations based on shared interests and mutual respect. Although the two U.S. political parties have differences, the U.S. has a tradition of bipartisan support for national security and foreign policy issues.

Is being a Vietnamese-American an advantage or a challenge in your position as Consul General?

• I fully understand that the pressure of expectations for me, as a Vietnamese-American diplomat, is greater than for others. Many people in the U.S., including the Vietnamese-American community, have high expectations. I will strive to enhance understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

Is your appointment as U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City part of the "forward-deployed diplomacy" policy that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned during her visit to Vietnam?

• The fact that Secretary Hillary Clinton visited Vietnam twice in the past three months is significant. It reflects President Obama’s commitment to multilateral relations in East Asia. We see Vietnam as an opportunity for growth.

I have been working in U.S. diplomacy for 20 years. Initially, I never thought I would become the first Vietnamese-American U.S. Consul General in Vietnam. The U.S. State Department's process is very transparent. When I learned that the position of U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City was open, I applied and was determined to be selected. When I was appointed, I felt extremely fortunate. Many Vietnamese-Americans sent me letters of encouragement. My family views this event as a great hope. For us, this marks a new chapter in our lives and an opportunity to rediscover our homeland.

What is your most memorable childhood memory in Vietnam?

• I remember that my parents often took me to watch cải lương and listen to vọng cổ. These are memories that remain in my heart. A week after arriving in Vietnam, my family went to see the Chuông vàng vọng cổ program. My wife asked if I could sit through the long show without falling asleep. But I enjoyed the program very much. It brought back memories from my childhood when I was 10 years old.