(VNA) - US Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield has expressed confidence in the vigorous development of relations between the US and Viet Nam in the future.

Over the past ten years of diplomatic normalisation, the US and Viet Nam have had opportunities to "understand each other and issues of each country better", and now the two countries are "moving forward", the US official told a press briefing in Ha Noi on July 12.

Mansfield has been in Ha Noi for a ceremony marking 10 years of normal diplomatic ties as head of the US presidential mission to the event.

He told the press that US President George Bush considered the celebration of the two countries' normalised relations an important event illustrated by the sending of an official presidential mission to Ha Noi.

Mansfield said he had met in Ha Noi a number of senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, National Assembly deputies and war veterans' organisations of Viet Nam, who all said that they attached importance to bilateral ties with the US and were looking forward to an improved mutual understanding.

Officials of the two sides were of the same view that they would jointly resolve outstanding issues, Mansfield said, adding that by being partners, the US and Viet Nam would gain more fruits of cooperation in the future./.