In the news...

Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet will visit with President Bush at the White House on Friday June 22 to continue discussions that first began last November when President Bush visited Hanoi. This is President Triet's first diplomatic visit to the US. Topics will include trade and economic affairs, human health and development issues, cultural ties, issues remaining from the Vietnam war (like agent orange and MIA soldiers), and last but not least, human rights. An economic deal leading to future free-trade between the US and Vietnam is expected to be signed.

On Monday, President Triet made an announcement to New York's Viet Kieu (Vietnamese living overseas) that, as of September 2007, they will no longer need a visa to visit their home country. They have also drafted laws to allow Vietnamese-born foreigners to purchase homes and land in Vietnam. On Wed, President Triet visited the New York Stock Exchange (right next door to Dan's building) to witness the signing of several business deals.