The United States has broken ground on a new embassy campus in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the embassy as eight stories tall and taking six years to complete the project, according to an April 15 news release. The embassy will provide good jobs for up to 1,800 local workers and add $350 million to the Vietnamese economy during the estimated six-year construction period.
"Honored to break ground on a new embassy in Hanoi,” Blinken said in a post on Twitter. “This move reflects our growing bilateral relationship and enduring commitment to Vietnam, a key partner in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region."
Blinken said the embassy's design would reflect a mix of Vietnam's topography and Hanoi's urban architecture, and the construction would embody the countries' shared commitment to environmental sustainability and resilience, the release said. The base of the building will be made from basalt, a rock found in both Vietnam and the U.S., and the embassy will be built using recycled materials.
The embassy is expected to bring the entire team together under one roof, enabling greater collaboration and efficiency, Blinken said in the release. In addition, it will have four times the number of consular windows as the current office, allowing more people to get visas and passports more quickly.
That reality is the basis of the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the U.S., according to a State Department fact sheet. This strategy outlines President Joe Biden’s vision to more firmly anchor the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the region in the process. Its central focus is sustained and creative collaboration with allies, partners, and institutions, within the region and beyond it.
The Indo-Pacific region strategy is focused on strengthening partnerships, advancing economic prosperity, promoting democratic values and ensuring security in the region, according to the fact sheet. The U.S. aims to work with its allies and partners to address challenges posed by China's aggression and destabilizing activities in the region. The strategy also includes initiatives to promote sustainable development, enhance digital connectivity and strengthen regional institutions.
