Speaking at the honoring ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of Vietnamese health care workers for their tireless efforts in the fight against COVID-19 over the past time. As a result, Ambassador Marc Knapper and USAID Vietnam Director Ann Marie Yatishock presented certificates honoring Vietnamese organizations and individuals in the healthcare field for their tireless efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

Besides, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knappe was also proud to have supported a number of hospitals in Vietnam, including the Hanoi Medical University Hospital and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, in designing and implementing more than 50 training courses as well as medical support for medical staff and hospital leaders.

“The United States has been a committed partner, providing nearly 38 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, technical assistance for improved case management, and equipment such as ventilators and oxygen systems for improved care. Yet, we cannot win this fight without the great contribution of health care workers, which is why it is essential that support for them be a cornerstone of the response,” Ambassador Knapper highlighted at the event.

During the visit, Ambassador Knapper had the opportunity to tour the Mekong Delta via boat along with ecologists to learn firsthand the impact of climate change on the local environment, communities, public health, and the economy. He also met with environmental experts at the DRAGON-Mekong Institute to discuss their cutting-edge research, training, and impacts of climate change on major river deltas like the Mekong. Through the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP), the United States continues to assist Lower Mekong countries to promote stability, peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. USAID in Vietnam has funded many projects on forest management and biodiversity and conservation across the nation to help Vietnam reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

On this occasion, U.S. Ambassador Knapper attended the launch of “The Interceptor 003,” a solar-powered robot that extracts marine debris on the Can Tho River. Can Tho has been selected as one of 15 riverine locations worldwide for the Interceptor project, a partnership between Coca-Cola and NGO The Ocean Cleanup to reduce the amount of plastic that flows from rivers into the ocean. The Interceptor 003 will be able to clean up to 50,000 kilograms of waste per day out of the Can Tho River once fully operational.