[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 47 (Monday, November 27, 2006)]
[Page 2077]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Business Leaders in Ho Chi Minh City, 
Vietnam

November 20, 2006

    Thank you all very much for--thank you very much for joining me and 
the Secretary of State. I find it really interesting that my first 
meeting in Ho Chi Minh City is at the stock exchange, and I'm meeting 
with entrepreneurs, people who have taken a look at the markets in 
Vietnam and have decided that this is a good place to invest.
    I want to thank you all for coming to share some of your stories 
with me. I'm very interested in hearing what the opportunities are like 
and the obstacles you face and how, perhaps, the United States can help 
foster the market economy that is growing here.
    I must tell you, I am, first of all, unbelievably grateful for the 
welcome that Laura and I have been received with here in Ho Chi Minh 
City--I've never seen as many people line the streets with such a 
friendly attitude. Secondly, when I read about the recent economic 
history of Vietnam, I am amazed at the size of the growth and the fact 
that are people are beginning to realize dreams. I recognize that some 
of you here at the table were born in Vietnam, came to the United States 
in the midseventies, and have decided to return. And I'm really 
interested in hearing what that has been like and the contrast in 
lifestyles and why you made the decisions you made.
    And I do want to hear from you all.

Note: The President spoke at 9:15 a.m. at the Ho Chi Minh City 
Securities Trading Center.