U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2006)

U.S. Department of State

Secretary Rice Gives Local Print Roundtable Interview

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Hanoi, Vietnam
November 17, 2006

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QUESTION: Madame, when you are talking about Vietnam with other people in United States, like Mr. President, what would you say?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, he'll get a chance to see for himself, which will be very good. But I think Americans would be surprised at what Vietnam looks like now. Part of it is that Americans don't often come to Southeast Asia. I think it's not a part of the world that we tend to know well. And everybody knows about economic growth in China, for instance. I think there is less knowledge of the vibrancy and the growth of the economy in Vietnam. And as we were saying, in part because of the war, Americans don't have an image of Vietnam that is forward looking. I think that it's therefore really helpful for Americans to come here and to see downtown Hanoi, which is quite remarkable, to see all the shops, to see all the young people.

And I would just say that this is one of the most energetic places that I have been. That's what I would tell Americans. And it's obviously changing very, very rapidly. I also think I've never seen more motor scooters than I have seen on the streets of Vietnam, so obviously people are finding ways to get around. But it would be good for more Americans to come here. I think they would be surprised.

All right, you have the last question.

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2006/T25-5