PRESS RELEASE

November 24, 2006

U.S. Embassy-Hanoi and Haiphong People's Committee to hold English-language contest on Nov. 29 for Haiphong students

The U.S. Embassy-Hanoi is pleased to announce its joint sponsorship, with the Haiphong People’s Committee, of an English language contest for University students in Haiphong.  The contest, which will include both an essay and speech portion, will be held on November 29, 2006, from 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Haiphong Private University, Du Hang Kenh Street, Le Chan District, Haiphong.

United States Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine and representatives of the Haiphong People's Committee will preside over the contest and present award to the winners.  Journalists are welcome to attend.

Students from six universities and colleges in Haiphong will participate in the contest. They represent Haiphong University, Haiphong Private University, Haiphong University of Medicine, Vietnam Maritime University, Haiphong Community College and Vietronic College.  They will be asked to address the following themes: US-Vietnam relations, APEC , APEC Vietnam 2006, and Vietnam's WTO accession.

Monetary prizes range from two million to five million dong, and trophies and certificates will be awarded to winning teams, individual winners and runners-up.

Sponsors and supporters for the contest include the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Haiphong Chinfon Cement Company and Tyndale Center of International Education.

This is the second time that U.S. and Vietnamese partners have cooperated in the organization of an English language contest.  In October 2005, the U.S. Embassy-Hanoi, Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training and Haiphong People’s Committee co-organized English language contests for university students in Hanoi and Haiphong as part of a wide range of cultural activities to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Normalization of U.S.-Vietnam relations.

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