US Second Lady Jill Biden visiting Vietnam

The U.S. Second Lady’s visit is the second stop on her four-country business trip to Asia, which lasts from July 16 to 23, to engage government and civil society partners in issues related to economic empowerment and educational opportunities for women and girls, the White House said in a press release on Saturday.

The four countries include South Korea, Japan, Laos, and Vietnam.

After arriving in Hanoi at 11:20 am yesterday, Dr. Biden attended an event, “Helmets for Kids,” which highlighted the public-private partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation.

At the event, Dr. Biden met with local children who have recently received bicycle helmets from the U.S. Embassy.

Afterward, the Second Lady visited the U.S. Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hanoi, where she learned about efforts to search for U.S. soldiers still missing in Vietnam.

Dr. Jill Biden (L) talks with Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan in Hanoi on July 19, 2015. Photo: Tuoi Tre

She later met members of Peace Trees, an American non-government organization that gives support to Vietnamese people affected by the war.

On the afternoon of the same day, Dr. Biden had a talk with Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan to discuss women’s issues and Vietnam’s higher education system.

In the evening, the Second Lady delivered a speech at a reception for Vietnamese women who hold leadership positions hosted by the U.S. Embassy.

On Monday, Dr. Biden is scheduled to come to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi for a meeting with Mai Thi Hanh, wife of Vietnam’s State President Truong Tan Sang.

Afterward, the Second Lady visited the U.S. Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hanoi, where she learned about efforts to search for U.S. soldiers still missing in Vietnam.

Dr. Jill Biden (in blue jacket) attends a meeting at the U.S. Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hanoi on July 19, 2015. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The two will review the progress the United States and Vietnam have made since the two countries established diplomatic relations, as well as potential areas for further cooperation, including issues concerning women and education.

Hanoi and Washington restored ties in 1995, twenty years after their war ended.

The two sides are celebrating their 20th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations this year.

Today Dr. Biden is slated to pay a visit to the Ba Vi Orphanage, where she will tour the facilities and learned about U.S. government efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS.

The U.S. Second Lady will leave Hanoi for Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.

Dr. Biden, 64, who has been an educator for over 30 years, earned her doctorate in education from the University of Delaware in January 2007, according to the White House.

She also has two master’s degrees, both of which she obtained while working and raising a family, the White House said.