The diplomat delivered a speech at a plenary session of the Illinois House of Representatives, highlighting the bright prospect of Vietnam-US relations in economics, trade, and investment, especially when the two are joining in negotiations on the trans- Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP).

He then met and talked to executives, lecturers and students of Illinois University , answering their questions relating recent developments in the Asia-Pacific, the East Sea , as well as the two countries’ ties.

The Ambassador also met with the Governors of Columbia and Springfield cities, and the Chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier during the visit to the State of Missouri , he paid a courtesy call to Governor Jay Nixon, and worked with the managing boards of Missouri , Webster and Washington universities.

Addressing the Vietnam – Missouri Business Forum, Cuong briefed Missouri businesspeople on Vietnam ’s socio-economic developments and her policies to lure foreign investment, especially in high technology, biotechnology, and human resources.

During his meeting with Congressman Vicky Hatzler and Missouri’s agricultural officials, the ambassador voiced pleasure at the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee voting for abolishment of catfish monitoring program, proposed by Hatzler, to remove non-trade barriers on Vietnam’s exported tra and basa to the US.

Hatzler showed delight with increasing trade exchanges in agricultural products between Vietnam and the US in general and Missouri in particular.

During his working tour, ambassador Cuong also met with Vietnamese students studying at the two states’ universities.