A big shout out to the amazing people at the Embassy and the Consulate General who carried off this exceptional Team Canada event and to the leadership, government agencies, universities, entrepreneurs and grass roots organizations that welcomed us and remain committed partners for Canada in Danang.

Danang is half way between the Embassy in Hanoi and our Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and an ideal location for our consular teams to meet for planning and delivery of consular and emergency services. Growth in both of our missions is allowing Canada to build bridges on the ground.

A student asked how Canada’s IPS was different from others. My answer: significant new resources at the outset that are now making a tangible difference in our presence and influence in the region; and emphasis on the lives of people - in all their diversity - in our comprehensive approach.

I am still sometimes surprised by the upwelling of goodwill for Canada. In times of global turmoil & uncertainty, Canada can stand out as a source of consistency & confidence in the international order. This was apparent in the comments & questions from faculty and students at Duy Tan University.

Canada’s investment in education is paying off with many alumni in central Vietnam carrying strong affinity with Canada into positions of influence. Discussions with leadership of the Danang University of Economics in both Canada’s official languages, showed the untapped energy for deeper dialogue.

Danang is well connected with an international airport and Danang Port has plans for expansion that will help Danang play an ever greater role in global supply chains and logistics. With the longest coastline in the world, Canada can help Danang realize its ambitions for greater connectivity.

Danang, which hosted APEC in 2017, is a city on the rise. PC Chair Lê Trung Chinh revealed needs Canada can meet. Local governments are embarking on project of unprecedented change, and Danang is using the opportunity to advance a vision to further integrate and move up in global value chains.

Two years after the launch of the comprehensive Strategy to deploy new focus and resources to engage more purposefully and intensively in the region, a large Canadian team descended on Danang to promote enhanced engagement with the dynamic hub of Central Vietnam.