US Ambassador predicts U23 Vietnam will win

Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink said this was the first time he donated blood to help the Vietnamese people in a blood donation program organized by the US Embassy in Vietnam.

Previously, this ambassador has participated in many other humanitarian blood donation programs. “I think donating blood is a good thing. Any of us may need blood at some point, so you never know,” Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink shared. “The United States and Vietnam, our two countries are friends. The fact that the US embassy community organizes blood donations to help the Vietnamese people is something we feel is very meaningful,” he said.

250 people participated in the humanitarian blood donation program organized by the US Embassy this morning, including many young Americans and Vietnamese. This is the 7th time the US Embassy has organized blood donations to support the Vietnamese people. According to statistics from the Institute of Hematology, in 2016, Vietnam collected more than 1.2 million units of blood. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Vietnam needs about 1.8 million units of blood each year to meet current needs.

“I know that the blood supply in Vietnam depends largely on voluntary blood donors. So today’s blood donation is an opportunity for us to contribute a small part to support you,” said Ms. Molly Stethenson, Cultural Counselor of the US Embassy.

Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink emphasized that Vietnam and the United States are good partners and friends, so it is appropriate for US citizens to donate blood to help the Vietnamese people. “We are good partners and good friends, so I would like to share a small gift of our blood with you, the Vietnamese people. Last year, we called on 200 people to donate blood at the US Embassy, ​​this year we called on 250 people to donate blood to save lives,” he said.

Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink affirmed that he is extremely optimistic and will do his best for a bright future in Vietnam - US relations in 2018 and the years to come. "We are good friends, we are good partners so we look forward to a good relationship in the bilateral relationship", Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink emphasized.

More than two months ago, President Donald Trump had a very successful visit to Vietnam. “Many large US companies and corporations have invested in Vietnam, people-to-people exchanges have been built very well, and many young Vietnamese people have come to study in the United States. I am really happy to take on the position of Ambassador in Vietnam and will do my best to promote bilateral relations. The fact that many young Americans donated blood to help the Vietnamese people today is a wonderful thing. These are very positive factors for the youth and people of the two countries to understand each other better for the future of the two countries,” said Mr. Kritenbrink.

At the blood donation event, Mr. Le Lam, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, said that the US Embassy's participation during both the pre-Tet and summer holidays is like the saying: "A piece when hungry is worth a package when full", sympathizing and sharing with Vietnam, thereby encouraging the spirit of many people to devote themselves to the humanitarian blood donation movement.

At the blood donation event, Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink congratulated the U23 Vietnam team for reaching the final of this year's Asian Championship: "I will definitely watch the final match of the U23 Vietnam team tomorrow. I have an optimistic feeling that the result of the match will be in favor of Vietnam." Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink emphasized "Go Vietnam!" "Go Vietnam"!/.