The Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has joined other dignitaries to ground-break the construction of new United States Embassy on April 15, 2023 in the Cau Giay district of Hanoi, Vietnam.
According to the statement released from office of State Department Spokesman while the new embassy is as a result of the demonstration of the enduring commitment to United States, Vietnam relationship during the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, Vietnam Foreign Mister Bùi Thanh Sơn, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People Committee Dương Đức Tuấn, alongside representatives from the U.S. Mission in Vietnam.
Also, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), and other U.S. and Vietnamese officials participated in the ground- breaking of the new U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam on Saturday.
Blinken who said on tweet that he was honored to break ground on a new embassy in Hanoi, adding that this move reflects US growing bilateral relationship and enduring commitment to Vietnam, key partner in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
According to the statement, the embassy’s design embraces the modern urban landscape and natural beauty of Hanoi and incorporates with the latest in sustainable design features.
Drawing inspiration from the rice paddies that surround the region, a terraced landscape solution has been applied to mitigate rainwater, and all major structures are elevated one meter above the projected flood plain.
Sustainable materials with high recycled content, low embodied carbon, and low levels of volatile organic compounds will be used to ensure a healthy and energy-efficient interior.
It stated further that Page of Washington, D.C., is the architect, and B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama, is the construction contractor, revealing that nearly $350 million anticipated to be invested in the local economy throughout the course of the project.
Reaffirming that since the start of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program in 1999, OBO has completed 176 new diplomatic facilities while currently more than 50 active projects either in the design phase or under construction worldwide.
OBO provides safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. Government to the host nation and that support U.S. diplomats in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad.