Socialist Republic of Vietnam

House Speaker Dennis Hastert (left) meets with PM Phan Van Khai in Hanoi on April 14th.             Mr. Dennis Hastert meets with Mrs. Pham Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of HoChiMinh City's People's Council in Ho Chi Minh City, April 12th.

U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An in Hanoi April 12th (above and below right). The top US lawmaker said he personally advocated the passage of a permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status for Viet Nam. He promised that he would work harder for this target when the issue is brought before Congress. Chairman An told his guest that the two countries should promote relations in all fields ranging from politics to economics, trade, investment, science-technology, education-training, culture and defense in the future.

During his trip to Hanoi, beside official meetings the House Speaker met with Vietnamese people and enjoyed Vietnamese traditional arts. Above: Mr. Dennis Hastert visits famous Vietnamese painter Thanh Chuong at his residence outside Hanoi, which features divers Vietnamese culture, arts and architecture. Below: Mr. Hastert and his entourage during a water puppet performance in Hanoi. peaking at the Noi Bai International Airport before his departure, Mr. Hastert said he and his party brought home a great impression of the Vietnamese land and people.

Photo: VNA, Thanh Nien News, Mofa.