Ted Osius, the newly-appointed US ambassador to Vietnam, arrived in Hanoi on the evening of December 15 to start his term in the country.
He comes to Vietnam along with his mother, his partner Clayton and their son Tabo.
Ted Osius, the newly-appointed US ambassador to Vietnam, and his son arrived at Noi Bai International Airport on December 15.
Being the first openly gay ambassador to Asia, there has been speculation as to what his term will mean for LGBT issues in Vietnam. After taking his oath, he said, “Twenty-two years ago, when we founded GLIFAA [Gay and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies] to end discrimination against LGBT personnel, we had to keep our member list secret or risk losing our jobs. Ten years ago, when I met Clayton at a GLIFAA meeting, we didn’t expect that we could marry, that we could raise children or that we could represent our country at the highest levels.”
Upon arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, Ambassador Osius showed off a bit of his knowledge of Vietnamese culture, saying “Returning to Vietnam this time has made my dream come true. My family and I are very happy to be here. Coming from the tradition of 'descendants of a Dragon and a Fairy', Vietnam has created firm wings from which to ascend.”
He went on to say, “The Government and people of the United States are ready to give Vietnam more strength to fly even higher and further. A Vietnam that is strong, prosperous and independent, and that respects rule of law and human rights, was, is and will be an indispensable friend of the United States. We will soon celebrate 20 years of U.S.-Vietnam friendly relations.”
The ambassador and his family at Noi Bai International Airport on December 15.
Osius said he and his family plan on celebrating Christmas, New Year and Tet in Vietnam.
Today, December 16, the Ambassador will meet with President Truong Tan Sang.
Osius is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and was appointed next U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam on November 18, 2014.
He served as Political Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi from 1996 to 1998.