Việt Nam, US to enhance ties in 2018   HCM CITY - Việt Nam is optimistic about bilateral relations between Việt Nam and the US in 2018, said Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Hà Kim Ngọc at a seminar on Wednesday.   Việt Nam is optimistic about bilateral relations between Việt Nam and the US in 2018, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Hà Kim Ngọc said at a seminar in HCM City on Wednesday. - VNS Photo An Phương The seminar, called “Việt Nam – US Relations under President Donald Trump’s Administration”, attracted the participation of local and international officials and experts, including US Ambassador to Việt Nam Daniel Krintenbrink and Fulbright University Việt Nam’s Founding President Đàm Bích Thuỷ, among others. According to Ngọc, 2017 witnessed many changes, particularly with the US’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). “Realising the importance of bilateral relations between Việt Nam and the US, Việt Nam last year set humble targets on development, with focuses on keeping up with the existing momentum, refraining from losing its regional status, and avoiding trade confrontation with the US,” he said. “Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visited the US and President Donald Trump came to Việt Nam in 2017,” he said, adding that this had reflected the successful relationship between the two countries. “The two countries’ respect for each other’s policy, sovereignty and territorial integrity has played a significant role in the success,” Ngọc said. In 2018, Việt Nam seeks to promote exchanges of high-level delegations; enhance economic, trade, cultural, and educational cooperation; and strengthen collaborations in resolving consequences of the war with the US. Speaking at the seminar, US Ambassador to Việt Nam Daniel Krintenbrink stressed that Việt Nam is one of the most important partners of the US. On behalf of President Trump, Krintenbrink said the US would take action to further promote bilateral relations. Security, trade and investment, human rights, people-to-people ties, and humanitarian aid are among the priorities that the US would focus on, he said. “I’m optimistic about our future, considering our achievements so far.” In addition to Việt Nam – US relations under Trump’s administration, the seminar discussed people-to-people ties between Việt Nam and the US, President Donald Trump’s policies on Asia and their impact on Việt Nam, and trade and investment opportunities between Việt Nam and the US after the TPP. The event was hosted in HCM City by Fulbright University Việt Nam (FUV) and the Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).  VNS