Contact: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Press Office, 202-712-4320; Public Information, 202-712-4810

WAHSINGTON, July 7 /Standard Newswire/ -- As part of her official visit to Vietnam, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Henrietta Fore presided at a ceremonial opening of the agency's new mission in Hanoi.

Since the mission has been operating for the past few months, the ribbon cutting really recognized the growing importance of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic and economic relations by USAID's commitment to a locally run mission. Before that, the mission was a regional office, managed by USAID's bureau in Thailand.

Health care, education and the environment were among the issues the administrator and prime minister discussed with Vietnamese officials. Fore also met with more than a dozen women holding prominent positions in business, health, education and law to gain their insights on how well women are advancing under Vietnam's growing prosperity. The administrator also visited USAID-supported HIV/AIDS and methadone clinics.

Vietnam's effort to rapidly move toward a market-driven economy has decreased poverty more than 30 percent among that nation's 84 million people.

Still, problems persist.

Needle-using drug abusers are keeping HIV/AIDS at epidemic levels and an alarming amount of human trafficking continues. USAID-sponsored business partnerships, however, have made strides in boosting Vietnam's economy. Microsoft, Intel and Qualcomm have brought wireless Internet connections to rural areas and schools while Masterfoods and the World Cocoa Foundation increased coca production and trade in the nation's Mekong Delta and Central highlands.

Nearly $100 million in assistance is slated for Vietnam this year, up from $59 million in 2007 and $37 million in 2006.

For more information about the USAID and its programs in Vietnam, please visit www.usaid.gov.