PRESS RELEASE

August 1, 2006

U.S. Ambassador Visits Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City And Long An

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine will visit Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, Ho Chi Minh City and Long An Province from August 2-5.  This will be Ambassador Marine’s first trip to Long An Province.

In all three locales, the Ambassador will call on the Provincial Party Secretaries and People’s Committee Chairmen.  In Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the Ambassador will also visit an off-shore oil rig, meet with Bishop Toma Nguyễn Văn Trâm and tour the Phu My Power Plant 2.2.  Ambassador Marine will follow up on his oil rig visit with a discussion with oil and gas exploration company executives in Ho Chi Minh City.

In Long An, the Ambassador will visit an HIV/AIDS Prevention Center in Tan An Town which receives funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and tour the Dong Tam Ceramic Factory.

Ambassador Marine will speak with local press and television in Long An and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and visit the Ho Chi Minh City Journalism Association.

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