Boosting cooperation with Washington state gives new momentum to Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership: Consul General
WVR - From February 10-13, Vietnamese Consul General in San Francisco Hoang Anh Tuan made an official visit to Washington State, marking a significant step forward in cooperation with the state.
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan poses for a group photo with Speaker of the House and Representative My-Linh Thai at the Washington State Capitol. |
“Unprecedented” reception
The visit took place amid the robust development of Vietnam-U.S. relations following the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023, with bilateral trade reaching $149 billion in 2024, a 23% increase from the previous year.
A highlight of this visit was the warm reception from the Washington State Legislature for Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan and the Vietnamese delegation.
During the plenary session of the State House, Consul General Tuan was formally introduced by Speaker Laurie Jinkins to all legislators – a rare event for a diplomatic representative.
Following the session, the Vietnamese Consulate delegation held meetings with Democratic and Republican legislators in the House to discuss bilateral cooperation in key areas.
Subsequently, at the Washington State Senate, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan delivered a speech to the Republican caucus, chaired by Senator Judy Warnick, emphasizing the importance of the partnership between Vietnam and Washington State and the potential for collaboration across various sectors.
Consul General stated: “Vietnam is on a strong growth trajectory with a GDP growth rate of 7.09% in 2024 and a target of 8% for 2025. We hope Washington State will continue to be a strategic partner in trade, investment, education, and technology, contributing to economic growth and sustainable development for both sides.”
Additionally, the Consul General engaged in extensive discussions with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and held private meetings with nearly 10 Senators and Representatives in the Washington State Legislature to delve deeper into specific cooperation opportunities. These exchanges helped strengthen mutual understanding, laying a solid foundation for future collaborative initiatives.
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan meets and discusses with Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck. |
Promoting trade and port cooperation
Promoting trade cooperation and port development, Washington State is one of the most important trade and logistics hubs in the U.S., home to strategic ports like Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett.
During the visit, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan held meetings with commissioners of the North West Seaport Alliance and the Port of Everett, focusing on cooperation opportunities in maritime transport, logistics, and supply chains.
Vietnam is currently Washington State’s third-largest trading partner and plays a crucial role in the Asia-Pacific supply chain.
Trade between Washington State ports and major Vietnamese ports such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) has grown significantly in recent years. Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: “Vietnam is intensifying investment in port infrastructure and logistics to meet the increasing import-export demand. Closer cooperation with Washington State ports will help optimize supply chains, reduce logistics costs, and open new opportunities for businesses on both sides.”
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan meets with John Curtis, CEO, and leaders of Portland's airport and seaport. |
Washington State port leaders expressed a desire to expand relations with Vietnam, including exchanging smart port management experiences, applying technology in logistics, and enhancing maritime connectivity between the two sides.
Washington State ports are also interested in investing in new technology solutions to improve operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in port activities.
During the visit, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan also met with Joe Nguyen, former state senator and current Director of the Washington State Economic Development Agency.
The two sides discussed the state’s investment attraction policies and cooperation opportunities with Vietnam in high-tech, clean energy, and electronic component manufacturing. Promoting educational cooperation and developing high-quality human resources.
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| The Republican caucus in the Washington State Senate warmly welcomes Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan to deliver a speech on Vietnam-Washington State relations. |
Expanding educational cooperation
Education is a key pillar in Vietnam-U.S. relations. Currently, over 30,000 Vietnamese students are studying at U.S. universities, with Washington State being one of the top destinations.
In meetings with state leaders, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized the desire to expand educational cooperation through student exchange programs, scientific research, and workforce training in high-tech sectors.
The Consul General affirmed: “Vietnam seeks to enhance educational cooperation with Washington State, particularly in information technology, artificial intelligence, data science, and aerospace engineering. Expanding exchange programs and scholarships will help Vietnamese students access advanced education while creating a high-quality workforce for economic development on both sides.”
Universities in Washington State expressed interest in admitting more Vietnamese students and expanding research collaboration with Vietnamese universities. Potential cooperation models include joint training programs, collaborative research projects, and connecting Washington State tech corporations with Vietnamese students through internship programs.
Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan’s visit to Washington State has strengthened bilateral cooperation and opened up numerous new opportunities in trade, education, technology, and infrastructure development.
The warm reception from the state legislature, interest from port leaders, and economic development agencies affirm the growing potential for cooperation between the two sides.
With a solid relationship foundation, Vietnam and Washington State will continue to advance specific cooperative initiatives, contributing to the strengthening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. The achievements of this visit hold significant importance for the present and pave the way for sustainable cooperation, elevating bilateral relations to new heights.
