Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Ho Chi Minh City on May 19. His first stop was the Fulbright Economic Teaching Program (FETP), which teaches market economics to Vietnam’s future leaders. FETP will soon become part of Fulbright University Vietnam.
After a typical local lunch, Deputy Secretary Blinken toured the Consulate General.
At the newly-renovated American Center in Diamond Plaza, Deputy Secretary Blinken met students who were utilizing the Center’s Innovation Lab to edit videos for an ecologically-themed video contest.
Local business leaders spoke with Deputy Secretary Blinken about opportunities and challenges they face doing business in Vietnam. He also spoke with members of local and international media about his trip, impressions of Vietnam, and bilateral relations.
After the American Center, Deputy Secretary Blinken visited with local religious leaders at the Notre Dame Cathedral, and went on a tour of the historic church.
Deputy Secretary Blinken’s trip in Southeast Asia continues with stops in Indonesia and Myanmar, before returning to Washington, DC.
Deputy Secretary Antony J. Blinken serves as the principal deputy, adviser, and alter ego to the Secretary of State; serves as Acting Secretary of State in the Secretary’s absence; and assists the Secretary in the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy and in giving general supervision and direction to all elements of the Department. Mr. Blinken was sworn in by Secretary Kerry on January 9, 2015. He has held senior foreign policy positions in two administrations over two decades.
